A technician is setting up a static IPv4 connection on a Windows 11 desktop computer in a small office. The technician configures the IP address to 192.168.1.45, the subnet mask to 255.255.255.0, and the preferred DNS server to 192.168.1.1, but leaves the Default Gateway field empty. The computer can ping local network devices, but cannot load websites on the internet. Which missing configuration item is directly causing the inability to access external networks?
- Default gateway addressAnswer
- BDHCP server scope reservation
- CActive Directory domain membership
- DThe /registerdns utility switch
Answer
The missing default gateway address prevents the Windows workstation from routing traffic to external networks outside its local subnet.
The default gateway serves as the designated router interface for sending traffic to destinations outside the local subnet. Without a specified default gateway, a Windows host can only communicate with devices on its local subnet.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Windows TCP/IP Static Configuration and Gateway Routing
Estimated Time:45s