CompTIA Network+ (N10-009)Network ImplementationEasy
A network administrator configures a router so that any traffic not matching a more specific entry in the routing table is forwarded to the ISP's gateway. Which type of route accomplishes this?
- AA summary route
- BA host route
- CA default route
- DA floating static route
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. A default route
A default route, expressed as 0.0.0.0/0 in IPv4, matches all destinations that are not covered by a more specific route and is commonly used to point traffic toward an ISP gateway or upstream router.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. A summary route aggregates multiple specific subnets, not all possible destinations.
- B. A host route matches a single specific IP address (/32), the opposite of a catch-all.
- D. A floating static route is a backup route with a higher administrative distance, not a catch-all route.
Default Route
A routing table entry (0.0.0.0/0 for IPv4) that matches any destination not covered by a more specific route, typically pointing to an upstream gateway.
- Written as 0.0.0.0/0 in IPv4 and ::/0 in IPv6
- Used when a router has no specific route to a destination
- Common on edge routers connecting to an ISP
Memory trick: 'Default' = the road you take when no other road is signposted.