Routing
Routing Overview
The Zyxel Device usually uses the default gateway to route outbound traffic from computers on the LAN to the Internet. To have the Zyxel Device send data to devices not reachable through the default gateway, use static routes.
For example, the next figure shows a computer (A) connected to the Zyxel Device’s LAN interface. The Zyxel Device routes most traffic from A to the Internet through the Zyxel Device’s default gateway (R1). You create one static route to connect to services offered by your ISP behind router R2. You create another static route to communicate with a separate network behind a router R3 connected to the LAN.
Example of Static Routing Topology
Configure Static Route
Use this screen to view and configure static route rules on the Zyxel Device. A static route is used to save time and bandwidth usage when LAN devices within an Intranet are transferring files or packets, especially when there are more than two Internet connections in your home or office network. Click Network Setting > Routing to open the Static Route screen.
Network Setting > Routing > Static Route
The following table describes the labels in this screen.
Network Setting > Routing > Static Route
Label
Description
Add New Static Route
Click this to set up a new static route on the Zyxel Device.
#
This is the number of an individual static route.
Status
This field indicates whether the rule is active (yellow bulb) or not (gray bulb).
Name
This is the name of the static route.
Destination IP
This parameter specifies the IP network address of the final destination. Routing is always based on network number.
Subnet Mask/ Prefix Length
This parameter specifies the IP network subnet mask of the final destination.
Gateway
This is the IP address of the gateway. The gateway is a router or switch on the same network segment as the device's LAN or WAN port. The gateway helps forward packets to their destinations.
Interface
This is the WAN interface through which the traffic is routed.
Modify
Click the Edit icon to go to the screen where you can set up a static route on the Zyxel Device.
Click the Delete icon to remove a static route from the Zyxel Device.
Add or Edit Static Route
Use this screen to add or edit a static route. Click Add New Static Route in the Static Route screen, the following screen appears. Configure the required information for a static route.
*The Gateway IP Address must be within the range of the selected interface in Use Interface.
Network Setting > Routing > Static Route > Add New Static Route
The following table describes the labels in this screen.
Network Setting > Routing > Static Route > Add New Static Route 
Label
Description
Active
Click this switch to activate static route. Otherwise, click to disable.
Route Name
Enter a name for your static route. You can use up to 15 printable characters except [ " ], [ ` ], [ ' ], [ < ], [ > ], [ ^ ], [ $ ], [ | ], [ & ], or [ ; ]. Spaces are allowed.
IP Type
Select between IPv4 or IPv6. Compared to IPv4, IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) is designed to enhance IP address size and features. The increase in IPv6 address size to 128 bits (from the 32-bit IPv4 address) allows up to 3.4 x 1038 IP addresses. The Zyxel Device can use IPv4/IPv6 dual stack to connect to IPv4 and IPv6 networks, and supports IPv6 rapid deployment (6RD).
Destination IP Address
This parameter specifies the IP network address of the final destination. Routing is always based on network number. If you need to specify a route to a single host, use a subnet mask of 255.255.255.255 in the subnet mask field to force the network number to be identical to the host ID.
Subnet Mask
If you are using IPv4 and need to specify a route to a single host, use a subnet mask of 255.255.255.255 in the subnet mask field to force the network number to be identical to the host ID. Enter the IP subnet mask here.
*This field appears only when you select IPv4 in the IP Type field.
Prefix Length
If you are using IPv6, enter the address prefix length to specify how many most significant bits in an IPv6 address compose the network address.
*This field appears only when you select IPv6 in the IP Type field.
Use Gateway IP Address
The gateway is a router or switch on the same network segment as the device's LAN or WAN port. The gateway helps forward packets to their destinations.
Click this switch to enable or disable the gateway IP address. When the switch goes to the right, the function is enabled. Otherwise, it is not.
Gateway IP Address
Enter the IP address of the gateway.
User Interface
Select the WAN interface you want to use for this static route.
OK
Click this to save your changes.
Cancel
Click this to exit this screen without saving.
An Example of Adding a Static Route
In order to extend your Intranet and control traffic flowing directions, you may connect a router to the Zyxel Device’s LAN. The router may be used to separate two department networks. This tutorial shows how to configure a static routing rule for two network routings.
In the following figure, router R is connected to the Zyxel Device’s LAN. R connects to two networks, N1 (192.168.1.x/24) and N2 (192.168.10.x/24). If you want to send traffic from computer A (in N1 network) to computer B (in N2 network), the traffic is sent to the Zyxel Device’s WAN default gateway by default. In this case, B will never receive the traffic.
You need to specify a static routing rule on the Zyxel Device to specify R as the router in charge of forwarding traffic to N2. In this case, the Zyxel Device routes traffic from A to R and then R routes the traffic to B.
This tutorial uses the following example IP settings:
IP Settings in this Tutorial 
Device / Computer
IP address
The Zyxel Device’s WAN
172.16.1.1
The Zyxel Device’s LAN
192.168.1.1
IP Type
IPv4
Use Interface
Default
A
192.168.1.34
R’s N1
192.168.1.253
R’s N2
192.168.10.2
B
192.168.10.33
To configure a static route to route traffic from N1 to N2:
1 Log into the Zyxel Device’s Web Configurator.
2 Click Network Setting > Routing.
3 Click Add new Static Route in the Static Route screen.
4 Configure the Static Route Setup screen using the following settings:
• Click the Active button to enable this static route. When the switch goes to the right, the function is enabled. Enter the Route Name as R.
• Set IP Type to IPv4.
• Enter the Destination IP Address 192.168.10.1 and IP Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0 for the destination, N2.
• Click the Use Gateway IP Address button to enable this function. When the switch goes to the right, the function is enabled. Enter 192.168.1.253 (R’s N1 address) in the Gateway IP Address field.
• Select Default as the Use Interface.
• Click OK.
Now B should be able to receive traffic from A. You may need to additionally configure B’s firewall settings to allow specific traffic to pass through.
DNS Route
Use this screen to view and configure DNS routes on the Zyxel Device. A DNS route entry defines a policy for the Zyxel Device to forward a particular DNS query to a specific WAN interface. Click Network Setting > Routing > DNS Route to open the DNS Route screen.
Network Setting > Routing > DNS Route
The following table describes the labels in this screen.
Network Setting > Routing > DNS Route 
Label
Description
Add New DNS Route
Click this to create a new entry.
#
This is the number of an individual DNS route.
Status
This field indicates whether the rule is active (yellow bulb) or not (gray bulb).
Domain Name
This is the domain name to which the DNS route applies.
WAN Interface
This is the WAN interface through which the matched DNS request is routed.
Subnet Mask
This parameter specifies the IP network subnet mask.
Modify
Click the Edit icon to configure a DNS route on the Zyxel Device.
Click the Delete icon to remove a DNS route from the Zyxel Device.
Add or Edit DNS Route
You can manually add the Zyxel Device’s DNS route entry. Click Add New DNS Route in the DNS Route screen, use this screen to configure the required information for a DNS route.
Network Setting > Routing > DNS Route > Add New DNS Route
The following table describes the labels in this screen.
Network Setting > Routing > DNS Route 
Label
Description
Active
Enable DNS route in your Zyxel Device.
Domain Name
Enter the domain name you want to resolve. You can use up to 64 alphanumeric (0-9, a-z, A-Z) characters with hyphens [ - ] and periods [ . ].
You can use the wildcard character, an “*” (asterisk) as the left most part of a domain name, such as *.example.com. The Zyxel Device forwards DNS queries for any domain name ending in example.com to the WAN interface specified in this route.
Subnet Mask
Enter the subnet mask of the network for which to use the DNS route in dotted decimal notation, for example 255.255.255.255.
WAN Interface
Select a WAN interface through which the matched DNS query is sent. You must have the WAN interfaces already configured in the Broadband screen.
OK
Click this to save your changes.
Cancel
Click this to exit this screen without saving.
Policy Route
By default, the Zyxel Device routes packets are based on the shortest path to the destination address. Policy routes allow you to override the default behavior and route packets based on other criteria, such as the source address. For example, you can use policy-based routing to direct traffic from specific users through specific connections or distribute traffic across multiple paths for load sharing. Policy-based routing is applied to outgoing packets before the default routing rules are applied.
The Policy Route screen lets you view and configure routing policies on the Zyxel Device. Click Network Setting > Routing > Policy Route to open the following screen.
Network Setting > Routing > Policy Route
The following table describes the labels in this screen.
Network Setting > Routing > Policy Route 
Label
Description
Add New Policy Route
Click this to create a new policy forwarding rule.
#
This is the index number of the entry.
Status
This field displays whether the DNS route is active or not. A yellow bulb signifies that this DNS route is active. A gray bulb signifies that this DNS route is not active.
Name
This is the name of the rule.
Source IP
This is the source IP address.
Source Subnet Mask
This is the source subnet mask address.
Protocol
This is the transport layer protocol.
Source Port
This is the source port number.
Source MAC
This is the source MAC address.
Source Interface
This is the interface from which the matched traffic is sent.
WAN Interface
This is the WAN interface through which the traffic is routed.
Modify
Click the Edit icon to edit this policy.
Click the Delete icon to remove a policy from the Zyxel Device. A window displays asking you to confirm that you want to delete the policy.
Add or Edit Policy Route
Click Add New Policy Route in the Policy Route screen or click the Edit icon next to a policy. Use this screen to configure the required information for a policy route.
Network Setting > Routing > Policy Route: Add or Edit
The following table describes the labels in this screen.
Network Setting > Routing > Policy Route: Add or Edit 
Label
Description
Active
Click this switch to activate this policy route. Otherwise, click to disable.
Route Name
Enter a descriptive name of this policy route. You can use up to 15 printable characters except [ " ], [ ` ], [ ' ], [ < ], [ > ], [ ^ ], [ $ ], [ | ], [ & ], or [ ; ]. Spaces are allowed.
Source IP Address
Enter the source IP address.
Source Subnet Mask
Enter the source subnet mask address.
Protocol
Select the transport layer protocol (TCP, UDP, or None).
Source Port
Enter the source port number.
Source MAC
Enter the source MAC address.
Source Interface (example: br0 or LAN1 – LAN4)
Enter the name of the interface from which the matched traffic is sent.
WAN Interface
Select a WAN interface through which the traffic is sent. You must have the WAN interfaces already configured in the Broadband screens.
Cancel
Click Cancel to exit this screen without saving.
OK
Click OK to save your changes.
RIP Overview
Routing Information Protocol (RIP, RFC 1058 and RFC 1389) allows the Zyxel Device to exchange routing information with other routers. To activate RIP for the WAN interface, select the supported RIP version and operation.
RIP
Click Network Setting > Routing > RIP to open the RIP screen. Select the desired RIP version and operation by clicking the checkbox. To stop RIP on the WAN interface, clear the checkbox. Click the Apply button to start or stop RIP and save the configuration.
Network Setting > Routing > RIP
The following table describes the labels in this screen.
Network Setting > Routing > RIP 
Label
Description
#
This is the index of the interface in which the RIP setting is used.
Interface
This is the name of the interface in which the RIP setting is used.
Version
The RIP version controls the format and the broadcasting method of the RIP packets that the Zyxel Device sends (it recognizes both formats when receiving). RIPv1 is universally supported but RIPv2 carries more information. RIPv1 is probably adequate for most networks, unless you have an unusual network topology. When set to Both, the Zyxel Device will broadcast its routing table periodically and incorporate the RIP information that it receives.
Operation
Select Passive to have the Zyxel Device update the routing table based on the RIP packets received from neighbors but not advertise its route information to other routers in this interface.
Select Active to have the Zyxel Device advertise its route information and also listen for routing updates from neighboring routers.
Enable
Select the checkbox to activate the settings.
Disable Default Gateway
Select the checkbox to set the Zyxel Device to not send the route information to the default gateway.
Cancel
Click Cancel to exit this screen without saving.
Apply
Click Apply to save your changes back to the Zyxel Device.