Windows XP able to find a gateway automatically?

[a]

I have a few routers on my LAN which are connected to the Internet. I
configure the gateway of my Windows XP to any IP address on a
different subnet than my LAN, I can still access Internet. Windows XP
is still able to find a router to use as its gateway to the Internet.

Why? Is XP able to find a gateway automatically?

 

[Detlev Dreyer]

I have a few routers on my LAN which are connected to the Internet. I
configure the gateway of my Windows XP to any IP address on a
different subnet than my LAN, I can still access Internet. Windows XP
is still able to find a router to use as its gateway to the Internet.

Why?

Leave the gateway entry blank and see if this still works.

Is XP able to find a gateway automatically?

That depends on the network configuration. A counter-example is ICS.

 

[a]

I have a few routers on my LAN which are connected to the Internet. I

Leave the gateway entry blank and see if this still works.

No. It doesn't work without the gateway entry. You need to key in
some arbitrary IP addresses as the gateway.

That depends on the network configuration. A counter-example is ICS.

Care to elaborate?

 

[Detlev Dreyer]

Care to elaborate?

The ICS (Internet Connection Sharing) clients need the correct Gateway
entry - usually the IP address 192.168.0.1 (ICS host).