| The Route Processor contains most of the system memory components and the main system processor.
A default gateway is simply a router interface, normally referenced with an IP address.
A default router is a router with at least one interface serving as a default gateway. For DHCP, a default router is a router that is providing a pool of IP addresses.
Connecting the separate subnets
through a Route Processor introduces the issue of how end-user
devices can communicate with other devices through multiple LAN
segments. Some network devices use routing tables to identify where
to deliver packets outside of the local network segment. Even though
it is not the responsibility of end-user devices to route data,
these devices still must be able to send data to addresses on
subnets other than their own.
So that each end device does not have
to manage its own routing tables, most devices are configured with
the IP address of a designated Route Processor. This designated
Route Processor is the default router to which all nonlocal network
packets are sent. The Route Processor then forwards the packets
toward the appropriate destination. A network device's
default router IP address depends on which IP subnet contains
that network device.
|