What is the primary function of the default gateway in an IP network?

• A. It forwards packets to destinations outside the local subnet
• B. It assigns IP addresses to hosts
• C. It translates domain names to IPs
• D. It provides time synchronization

Answer: (A)

The main idea being tested is how devices reach destinations outside their own local network using a default gateway. A host assigns a default gateway as the next-hop router for all traffic that isn’t in its own subnet. When the destination IP isn’t local, the host forwards the packet to the gateway. The gateway then uses its routing table to forward the packet toward the destination, possibly through several routers, until it reaches the target network. This is what lets your device reach other networks or the Internet.

Other functions listed belong to different services: a device that assigns IP addresses uses DHCP; translating domain names to IPs is DNS; and providing time synchronization is done by NTP. These are not the primary role of the gateway.