What is the purpose of a default route (0.0.0.0/0)?
- To forward packets with unknown destinations to a specified next hop ✓
- To create a backup route for redundancy
- To segment traffic by quality of service
- To block all incoming traffic from the internet
Correct answer: To forward packets with unknown destinations to a specified next hop
Option A is correct because a default route (0.0.0.0/0) acts as a gateway of last resort, directing packets whose destination does not match any more specific route in the routing table to a designated next hop, ensuring reachability to unknown networks such as the internet. Option B is wrong because a default route is not inherently a backup or redundancy mechanism, though it can play a role in failover designs. Option C is wrong because quality of service traffic segmentation is handled by QoS policies and markings, not by routing entries. Option D is wrong because the default route forwards traffic rather than blocking it; blocking requires access control lists or firewall rules.
Topic: · routing, default route, ipv4, cisco ios