Computer networking is a fairly complex but logical system of interconnecting protocols.
One of the core features of the Internet is that it isnt just one big internet.
Its a conglomeration of a vast number of networks.
Getting these smaller networks to communicate internally and with each other is a tricky problem.
This problem is what networking protocols and hardware are designed to address.
One essential part of this is the gateway.
In computer networking, a gateway serves the same purpose as the gateway to your yard.
It is the route in and out of the connection.
Routers have always performed the job in their very early phase called gateways.
you’re free to still see this legacy in many devices web connection configuration options.
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Why Is a Gateway Needed?
Though, things get a little more complicated if the address on the packet isnt in the online grid.
This resembles walking to your neighbors house to drop off a misdelivered envelope.
But if you dont have any rules to know where to route a packet, you have two options.
A default route is also easy to configure and much more robust as a solution.
The default gateway is like the post service.
If the system works, the letter will eventually reach its destination.
The default gateway is simply the last rule in a routing table.
A packet can be sent on a specific route if the destination address is known.
Many other networking protocols may be involved behind the scenes, but the concept is relatively simple.
The first gateways werent just a router between networks but between protocol types.
These networks could only communicate through a gateway as the gateway could speak both protocols.
Internet of Things (IoT) devices often need some communications hub to connect to your data pipe.
This is because they use distinct communication protocols that most computers dont understand.
In many cases, computers lack the hardware to connect with IoT protocols.
