A _____ is a networking device that forwards data packets betwen computer networks.

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

Answer: (A)

Routing forwards data packets between networks by using IP destination addresses to determine the best path. A router is built for this job; it connects multiple networks—such as a local area network and the internet—and forwards each packet toward its destination based on routing tables and protocols. This capability to move traffic between different networks is what distinguishes a router from other common networking devices. A switch, for instance, operates mainly within a single network segment, forwarding frames based on MAC addresses to devices on the same LAN. A hub sends incoming signals to all ports without awareness of where they should go. A bridge links network segments at the data link layer and also uses MAC addresses to forward frames, typically within the same logical network. So, when the task is to send packets from one network to another, the device designed for that is the router.