How To Set the Default Gateway in Linux

Access to the internet—or any other network—is governed by the default gateway. We explain what a default gateway is, and how to set and change it on your Linux computer.

All of the devices in your home that are connected to the internet such as laptops, desktop computers, cell phones, tablets, and smart devices are actually connected to your local area network (LAN).

Because they’re on the same network, these devices can talk to one another if they need to. Most are happy to do their own thing and operate in isolation but if you have a printer, for example, or a network-attached storage device, then some of your other devices will want to be able to connect to them.