It is possible to configure a Linux system to act as a router. The role of a router is to pass traffic from one network segment to another, based on the network ID of packets. In order to properly direct traffic to the appropriate subnet (and prevent traffic from getting to certain subnets, too), routing table entries are configured. This is not a common configuration for Linux hosts but is important to be aware of.
The route command is used to view the routing table. The command is also used to manipulate the routing table, enabling the administrator to configure desired routes.
Examples include the following.
| Command | Used To |
| route | View the current routing table on the system. |
| route add default gw {IP address} | Configure a default gateway by its IP address. Packets will be passed to this destination if there are no other routes that match their network ID. |
| route add –host {IP address} reject | Filter traffic destined to the specified address, which enables an administrator to control connections to a particular host. Can also be configured for an entire subnet. |
Syntax
The syntax of the route command is:
# route [options]
If you encounter the below error while running the route command:
route: command not found
you may try installing the below package as per your choice of distribution:
| OS Distribution | Command |
|---|---|
| Debian | apt-get install net-tools |
| Ubuntu | apt-get install net-tools |
| Alpine | apk add net-tools |
| Arch Linux | pacman -S net-tools |
| Kali Linux | apt-get install net-tools |
| CentOS | yum install net-tools |
| Fedora | dnf install net-tools |
| Raspbian | apt-get install net-tools |
route Command Exaxmples
1. To see the current routing table:
# route
2. To show numerical addresses instead of trying to determine symbolic host names:
# route -n
3. To use netstat-format for displaying the routing table:
# route -e
4. To see the kernel routing cache:
# route -C
5. To add the route into the system:
# route add -net 192.168.200.0 netmask 255.255.255.0 gw 192.168.200.1 # route add -host 192.168.200.10 netmask 255.255.255.254 gw 192.168.200.1 # route add -host 192.168.200.10 netmask 255.255.255.254 gw 192.168.200.1 dev eth0
6. To add a default route via specified gateway:
# route add default ge 192.168.200.1
7. To delete a route from the system:
# route del -net 192.168.200.0 netmask 255.255.255.0 gw 192.168.200.1 # route del -host 192.168.200.10 netmask 255.255.255.0 gw 192.168.200.1
8. To reject a route:
# route add -host 192.168.200.10 netmask 255.255.255.254 gw 192.168.200.1 reject # route add -net 192.168.0.0 netmask 255.255.0.0 gw 192.168.200.1 reject # route add -net 192.168.0.0 netmask 255.255.0.0 reject
9. To see the help:
# route -h # route --help
10. To see the version:
# route -V # route --version
11. To set to verbose mode:
# route -v