In MikroTik routers, when a specific route to a given destination is not known, a default route is used.

The default route directs traffic destined for IP addresses for which there is no more specific route in the router's routing table. Essentially, it acts as a “if you don't know, send this way”.

We explain how to configure a default route on a MikroTik router:

Setting a Default Route in MikroTik

1. Access the MikroTik Router:
   • You can access your MikroTik router using WinBox, WebFig, or via SSH, depending on your preference.
2. Go to the Routes Section:
   • In WinBox, go to “IP” in the main menu, and then select “Routes.” In WebFig, the navigation is similar, accessing the routes section under the “IP” menu.
3. Add a New Route:
   • Click the add button (+) to create a new route.
   • In the “Dst. Address”, you must put 0.0.0.0/0 which is the standard notation for a default route in IPv4.
   • In the “Gateway” field, you must specify the IP address of the next hop, which will usually be your Internet service provider's router or the gateway of your local network.
4. Configure Additional Interfaces:
   • If necessary, you can also specify the exit interface or additional settings related to traffic handling for that route.
5. Save and Verify Settings:
   • Save the configuration and then verify that the default route has been correctly added to the route table.
   • You can do this by checking the route list on your MikroTik to make sure the default route is active and pointing to the correct gateway.

Importance of the Default Route

Configuring a default route is crucial to ensuring that your network traffic can reach destinations outside your local network, such as the Internet. Without a default route, packets destined for unknown networks would simply be discarded by the router, which could result in a failure to connect to the Internet or other external resources.

This type of configuration is essential in any router, especially in environments where constant access to external resources is required, and helps simplify network management by reducing the number of specific routes you need to configure manually.