ITGSS Certified Technology Specialist

Which device is typically assigned the IP address set as the default gateway for a PC connecting to the Internet?

1. Switch

2. Router

3. Hub

4. Access Point

The correct answer is: Router

The correct answer is the router, as it plays a crucial role in connecting local networks to external networks, such as the Internet. A default gateway is the node on a network that serves as an access point to another network, enabling communication between devices on a local network and external networks. In a typical home or office setup, the router is configured with an IP address that devices on the local network use as their default gateway. When a PC attempts to communicate with a device outside its local network, it sends its requests to this IP address. The router then forwards the request to the appropriate destination. The other device options serve different purposes: a switch connects devices within the same local area network (LAN) without facilitating access to external networks, a hub broadcasts data to all connected devices without any network intelligence or filtering, and an access point allows wireless devices to connect to the wired network but does not perform routing functions itself. Thus, these devices do not typically serve as the default gateway for Internet access.