how to set the default gateway (/etc/network/interfaces ?)

[Thufir Hawat]

On Thu, 07 Mar 2013 14:47:39 -0500, Rashkae wrote:


> Looking over the details you posted on the ask ubuntu, I'm even more
> confused about what you are trying to do.  (wireless bridge plugged into
> network port of router,?)
> 
> Also, configuring a gateway in your workstation is not going to
> configure a gateway in the wireless bridge.  Which is fine, chances are
> the wireless bridge doesn't need a gateway at all.
> 
> I think I'll need very detailed explanation of how you are trying to set
> up your network, complete with diagrams, to try and make sense of things
> here.

internet --- router1 --- IOgear --- router2 --- computer


The above configuration works, but I don't understand this gateway 
business, or why the above works but I couldn't get this working:


internet --- router1 --- IOgear --- computer

because of, presumably, a gateway misconfiguration.

The IOgear fine manual states that the *single* device which connects to 
it with ethernet cable should have a static IP address (which is a weird 
sort of direction):

Installation without WPS - Mac 
Step 1: Turn off your computer’s wireless connection (if applicable) and 
disconnect the Ethernet cable currently connect to your computer (if 
applicable). 
Step 2: Use both the included RJ-45 Ethernet cable and the USB cable to 
connect the
WiFi adapter with your computer. 
Step 3: Set your computer with a static IP address. 

but I'm thinking that is actually incorrect. However, it may be necessary 
in order to configure the IOgear device to use a static IP.  Since only 
one device can connect to the IOgear device, there's not going to be any 
collisions.  Even though the manual says to use a static IP address, 
router2 is using DHCP and everything works fine.  However, that's only 
*after* the IOgear device was configured.

As to gateways, isn't the gateway basically the IP address for whatever 
is upstream?  The gateway for the computer is router2, the gateway for 
router2 is the IOgear device, and its gateway is router1.  



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gateway_address


Thank you for your interest.


-Thufir