Can a Workstation Computer Be Configured to Browse the Internet & Not Have a Default Gateway?
A default gateway is a router that computers use to route messages to the Internet. You need a default router to gain access to the Internet and connect with other computers on your network. The default gateway can be manually programmed in the computer's Control Panel, but networks are typically configured with Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), which automatically assigns you a default gateway.
The computer's IP address is a numeric value that identifies your computer on the network. All computers that access the Internet require an IP address, because TCP/IP is the routing protocol on the Internet. The default gateway is also an IP address, and it is required so your computer can transfer data to the Internet when Web browsing, downloading a file or using chat programs.
The default gateway IP address is used when you want to access a computer on a different network or the Internet. It is required when you network your computer for the Internet. Home and office networks typically have Internet access for email, searching for information or chatting with other offices across the Internet.
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is a type of setting where a server sets up your computer with an IP address and a default gateway. Some routers act as a DHCP server, but Windows servers can also have DHCP settings. DHCP makes it more convenient for administrators to set up a TCP/IP network without worrying about configuring IP addresses. It also ensures that you do not accidentally assign the same IP address to two computers, which causes them to get kicked off the network.
The "IPConfig" utility is an MS-DOS command that lets you view your default gateway and currently assigned IP address. This utility lets you verify that your computer has an IP address and a default gateway IP. Click the Windows "Start" button and then type "cmd" into the search text box. Type "ipconfig /all" to view your IP settings.