How do static routes differ from default routes in RouterOS?

• A. A static route automatically updates; a default route is manually configured.
• B. Static routes apply to LAN only; default routes apply to WAN only.
• C. A static route is for a specific network; a default route matches any destination not covered by more specific routes (0.0.0/0).
• D. A static route uses dynamic routing protocols; a default route uses static configuration.

Answer: (C)

Routing decisions in RouterOS are based on the destination address and how specifically it matches entries in the routing table. A static route is an entry you configure to reach a particular destination network, defined by a specific subnet and a gateway. A default route is a special static entry with the destination set to 0.0.0.0/0, which means it will handle any destination that isn’t matched by a more specific route. In other words, the router first looks for the most specific match; if no exact route for the destination exists, it uses the default route as the gateway of last resort. This distinction—specific network versus catch-all—is what sets static routes apart from the default route. Static routes aren’t automatically updated; they’re manual unless paired with dynamic routing. Also, the concept isn’t limited to LAN or WAN; it’s about the destination pattern being matched.