When frames are sent from the workstation to the default gateway, the destination MAC address used is the MAC address of the virtual router (the default gateway). This MAC address is returned to the workstation by the Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) as the MAC address corresponding to the default gateway's IP address.
Explanation
- The default gateway IP address acts as the default route for all traffic from the workstation destined outside its local subnet.
- When the workstation sends frames to the default gateway, it uses the destination MAC address of the gateway’s virtual interface, not the MAC address of the final destination.
- This applies especially in scenarios involving virtual router redundancy protocols like HSRP, where the MAC address used is for the virtual router rather than individual physical routers.
Thus, the destination MAC address is that of the virtual router representing the default gateway to the workstation.
