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RoutingGlobal Config

ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 [next-hop]

Configures a default route (gateway of last resort) on a Cisco router, directing all traffic with no specific route in the routing table to the specified next-hop IP address.

Syntax·Global Config
ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 [next-hop]

When to Use This Command

  • Connecting a branch office router to the internet via a single ISP router at 203.0.113.1
  • Providing a backup default route with a higher administrative distance for WAN link redundancy
  • Sending all unknown traffic to a firewall for security inspection in a corporate network
  • Configuring a default route on a stub router that only has a single upstream connection

Command Examples

Basic default route to ISP

ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 203.0.113.1

No output is produced on successful configuration. Use 'show ip route' to verify.

Default route with floating static backup

ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 10.0.0.2 200

The administrative distance 200 makes this a floating static route, only used if the primary default route (distance 1) fails.

Understanding the Output

The 'ip route 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0' command does not produce any output on the CLI. To verify the configuration, use 'show ip route' or 'show ip route 0.0.0.0'. In the routing table, a default route appears as 'S* 0.0.0.0/0 [1/0] via 203.0.113.1'. The 'S' indicates a static route, '*' means it is the candidate default route (gateway of last resort), '[1/0]' shows administrative distance and metric, and 'via' shows the next-hop IP. A missing default route means the router will drop packets destined for unknown networks.

CCNA Exam Tips

1.

The default route uses prefix 0.0.0.0/0, which matches all destinations.

2.

Administrative distance for static routes defaults to 1; a floating static route uses a higher AD (e.g., 200) to act as a backup.

3.

The '*' in 'show ip route' output indicates the gateway of last resort; if missing, the router has no default route.

4.

CCNA often tests the difference between a default route and a default network (ip default-network).

Common Mistakes

Using a subnet mask like 255.255.255.0 instead of 0.0.0.0 for the default route.

Forgetting to specify the next-hop IP, causing the command to be rejected.

Configuring a default route with an incorrect next-hop IP that is not reachable, leading to traffic blackholing.

Related Commands

show ip route

Displays the current IP routing table on a Cisco router, used to verify routes, check next-hop addresses, and troubleshoot connectivity issues.

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