Which device is primarily responsible for connecting two or more networks and directing data flow between them?

Which device is primarily responsible for connecting two or more networks and directing data flow between them?

• A. Modem
• B. Hub
• C. Router
• D. Switch

Answer: (C)

Connecting two or more networks and directing data between them is the job of a router. It operates at the network layer, uses IP addresses to understand where a packet should go, and consults routing tables to pick the best path for each piece of data. This is how traffic moves from your local network out to the internet or between different subnets, and it often includes features like network address translation to share a single public IP and basic firewall protection. A modem, while essential for providing access to the internet, doesn’t route between multiple networks. A hub simply repeats signals to all connected devices and offers no network segmentation or routing. A switch forwards frames within a single local network based on MAC addresses, improving efficiency but not handling routing between different networks.

Connecting two or more networks and directing data between them is the job of a router. It operates at the network layer, uses IP addresses to understand where a packet should go, and consults routing tables to pick the best path for each piece of data. This is how traffic moves from your local network out to the internet or between different subnets, and it often includes features like network address translation to share a single public IP and basic firewall protection.

A modem, while essential for providing access to the internet, doesn’t route between multiple networks. A hub simply repeats signals to all connected devices and offers no network segmentation or routing. A switch forwards frames within a single local network based on MAC addresses, improving efficiency but not handling routing between different networks.