What function does a router perform in a network?

A router plays a critical role in a network by connecting multiple networks together. This enables data to flow between devices that are on different network segments, allowing for communication and resource sharing between them. Routers determine the best paths for data packets to travel across various networks, which is essential for effective network connectivity.

For instance, when a device from one local network needs to send data to a device on another network, the router acts as an intermediary that receives the packet from the sending device, looks up the routing table, and forwards the packet to the appropriate network destination. This capability is especially important in larger networks, such as those found in businesses, where multiple subnetworks need to communicate efficiently.

While other functions like filtering network traffic, managing data access permissions, and storing data packets are important in networking and can occur in different devices (such as firewalls or network switches), they do not encompass the primary function of a router. The essential role of a router is to facilitate connections between distinct networks, thus enabling diverse networked systems to communicate.