Which device is responsible for connecting different networks?

Which device is responsible for connecting different networks?

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

Answer: (B)

The router is the device responsible for connecting different networks. It functions as a gateway that routes data packets between distinct networks, enabling communication across various subnets and external networks like the internet. Routers utilize IP addresses to determine the best path for data to travel to reach its destination, making them essential for facilitating connectivity and managing traffic between different network segments. In contrast, the other devices listed serve different purposes. A switch operates within a single network, connecting devices and managing data flow at the data link layer, typically using MAC addresses to forward frames to the correct destination device within the same network. A hub is a basic networking device that connects multiple Ethernet devices in a LAN, but it does not perform intelligent routing or manage traffic efficiently, as it simply broadcasts data to all connected devices. A modem connects a network to the internet by converting digital data from a computer into the analog signal required by phone lines or vice versa, but it does not connect different networks independently of routing functions. Thus, the router is crucial for inter-network communication, making it the correct answer.

The router is the device responsible for connecting different networks. It functions as a gateway that routes data packets between distinct networks, enabling communication across various subnets and external networks like the internet. Routers utilize IP addresses to determine the best path for data to travel to reach its destination, making them essential for facilitating connectivity and managing traffic between different network segments.

In contrast, the other devices listed serve different purposes. A switch operates within a single network, connecting devices and managing data flow at the data link layer, typically using MAC addresses to forward frames to the correct destination device within the same network. A hub is a basic networking device that connects multiple Ethernet devices in a LAN, but it does not perform intelligent routing or manage traffic efficiently, as it simply broadcasts data to all connected devices. A modem connects a network to the internet by converting digital data from a computer into the analog signal required by phone lines or vice versa, but it does not connect different networks independently of routing functions.

Thus, the router is crucial for inter-network communication, making it the correct answer.