Auto-configuration of routes between neighbor devices

Abstract

In some embodiments, a method inserts, by a first computing device, a first value for a capability in a first message that is used in a process to automatically exchange capability values with a second computing device. The first value for the capability indicates the first computing device requires a default route to reach the second computing device as a next hop for sending a packet to a destination. The first computing device sends the first message to the second computing device; and receives a second value for the capability in a second message from the second computing device. The second value indicating the second computing device will send the default route to reach the second computing device. When the default route is received from the second computing device, the first computing device stores the default route from the second computing device in a route table.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 inserting, by a gateway device, a first value for a capability in a first message that is used in a process to automatically exchange capability values with a gateway device, wherein the first value for the capability indicates the gateway device requires a default route to reach the access device as a next hop for sending a packet to a destination;   sending, by the gateway device, the first message to the access device;   receiving, by the gateway device, a second value for the capability in a second message from the access device, the second value indicating the access device will only receive the default route from the gateway device; and   storing the default route in a route table.