What is the primary purpose of a default gateway in a network?

The primary purpose of a default gateway in a network is to route packets towards remote networks. When a device on a local network wants to communicate with a device that is not on the same local subnet, it must send the traffic to a router, which is typically configured as the default gateway. This router takes care of directing the packet toward the correct remote network, allowing for communication beyond the local network.

The concept of a default gateway is crucial in environments where devices require access to resources outside their immediate local area network. It effectively serves as an access point for traffic heading towards external networks, such as the internet, thus fulfilling its role in facilitating inter-network communication.

Other choices focus on different network functionalities that do not directly relate to the primary role of a default gateway. For instance, managing traffic within a VLAN pertains more to ensuring efficient data handling among devices in the same broadcast domain. Similarly, handling local traffic duplication and forwarding traffic within a VLAN does not encompass the broader function of connecting different subnets or directing packets to remote networks, which is the defining purpose of a default gateway.