What is Default Route in Networking? | Adding Static Route to Router

Understanding the importance of Default Routes in networking is very critical. We need to manage routers and network infrastructure. In this article, I will cover what a fixed route is and how it works.

I will also explain its role in routing IP packets. After that, we will look at how to add a default route in Cisco routers. So, even if you are new to networking, you can easily set this setting and organize your network applications.

What is the Default Route and Understanding It on the Network

When configuring Routers on the network, the default route is usually added to the device that will access the Internet, and IP packets can go in one direction.

If no routing network address exists in the routing table on the LAN Router, a Static way is configured to configure where IP packets go.

For example, if there is only one Router in the network environment, this device performs the routing task. Because IP packets coming to the local network are not likely to pass through another device.

If there are two or more Routers in the network environment, the Route is configured on the network device near the Modem or ISP device.

Therefore, when a computer that will access the internal network to the external network wants to access a network that does not exist in the routers’ routing table, it automatically uses the way and transmits IP packets.

Cisco Router Default Route Example

For a better understanding of its logic, carefully examine the following image. A static route is configured in R1 in the following image. Thus, unrecognized networks will be routed directly from R1 to R2.

In small or large network topology, a route must be configured. Otherwise, IP packets will always drop when accessing unknown networks.

How to Create a Default Route?

The following command is applied to define the Route on a Cisco Router.

R1(config)# ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 10.1.1.2Copy

The above command describes that an IP packet request sent to R1 will redirect to the 10.1.1.2 IP address.

Thus, R1 sends packets to R2 and fulfills the request of a PC on the LAN to display the webpage.

Another example of using the ip route command is as follows.

R1(config)# ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 Serial0/1/0Copy

The interface and port number added to the end of this command belong to R1.

Final Word

To summarize, it is vital to know the default routes in PC networks. With this knowledge, we can effectively manage our routers and network infrastructure. In particular, it is essential to learn how to add default routes to Cisco routers.

In short, even those who are new to networking can quickly implement fixed routes. Thus, they ensure that IP packets are routed correctly.