IPv4 - Static Routes - New Static Route

Applies To: Windows Server 2008

Dialog box element Description

Interface

Lists the available LAN or demand-dial interfaces to be used to forward the IP packet if this route is selected.

Destination

A destination for the route. The destination can be a host address, subnet address, network address, or the destination for the default route (0.0.0.0).

Network mask

The network mask for the static route. The network mask number is used in conjunction with the destination to determine when the route is used. For example, a host route has a mask of 255.255.255.255, a default route has a mask of 0.0.0.0, and a subnet or network route has a mask somewhere in between these two extremes. The mask of 255.255.255.255 means that only an exact match of the destination number can use this route. The mask of 0.0.0.0 means that any destination can use this route.

When converted to binary, the destination cannot have bits set to 1 where there are 0’s in the network mask. In other words, the destination cannot be more specific that the network mask.

Gateway

The forwarding IP address for this route. For LAN interfaces, the gateway address must be configured and must be a directly reachable IP address for the network segment of the selected interface. For demand-dial interfaces, the gateway address is not configured or used.

Metric

The metric which is the cost associated with this route to reach the destination. The metric is commonly used to indicate the number of routers (hops) to the destination. When deciding between multiple routes to the same destination, the route with the lowest metric is selected as the best route.

Use this route to initiate demand-dial connections

Specifies whether the router initiates a demand-dial connection when this route is selected for packets being forwarded. This check box is only available when a demand-dial interface is selected in Interface.