CompTIA Network+ Practice Test

What is the role of the Gateway of Last Resort in routing?

1. It routes messages to a backup router

2. It sends messages to a predetermined destination

3. It handles packets when the path to the destination cannot be determined

4. It serves as a firewall for all incoming messages

The correct answer is: It handles packets when the path to the destination cannot be determined

The Gateway of Last Resort plays a crucial role in routing by managing situations where a router cannot determine a specific path to a destination. Essentially, it acts as a safety net, ensuring that any packets that have no known route can still be directed to a designated fallback pathway. This fallback might typically point to an internet service provider (ISP) or another routing device that can further process or handle these packets. When the router receives a packet and does not have a matching route in its routing table, it will forward this packet to the Gateway of Last Resort. This enables the network to maintain connectivity and ensure that messages are not dropped when they encounter uncertainty, thus improving overall reliability in network communications. The presence of a Gateway of Last Resort is particularly important in dynamic routing environments, where routes may change frequently due to network configurations or failures. In contrast to the other options, the role described does not involve routing messages to backup routers, which would generally imply redundancy rather than handling unknown paths. Sending messages to a predetermined destination suggests a more static approach that doesn't account for routes that cannot be determined. Lastly, serving as a firewall does not align with the Gateway of Last Resort's function, which is focused on forwarding packets rather than filtering or blocking traffic.