[euk-paul]

You will find default gateway configured on the LAN card of your PC or a Server which is in network . Default gateway is configured in the LAN properties in the TCP/IP properties just below the IP address and subnet mask .

In our homes default gateway is usually a DSL or a Cable modem provided by ISP . In enterprises or a large network,however what is a default gateway .

In a network your computers are connected to a switch through the LAN cable . The cable used is a straight through cable . A cable from switch's ethernet port goes to the ethernet port of the router . The cable used here is also a straight-through cable . Straight-through cable is used when the two devices which are being connected are different . Cross cable is used when the two devices are same such as a switch connecting to a switch or a PC connecting to a PC .

Now the LAN cable is connected from each of your PC'S LAN card to the Switch's ethernet ports , One of the switch's ethernet port is kept free . From this port a cable is connected to the routers ethernet port and the routers serial port is connected to the ISP through which you get your internet connection .

The basic function of a router is to connect two different networks and to route packets between them . The IP address which is configured on the routers ethernet port is usually the Default Gateway .

Regards,
Paul.
Windows Support Department.