What is the primary role of a router in a network?

The primary role of a router in a network is to route traffic between different networks. This means that the router acts as a gateway, directing data packets from one network to another based on their destination IP addresses. It examines the incoming data packet, determines the optimal path for it to travel to reach its destination, and forwards it accordingly. Routers are essential for enabling communication across multiple networks, such as when a device in a home network wants to access resources on the internet or when different branches of a company need to connect with each other securely.

While there are other devices and roles in a network, such as switches which connect devices within the same subnet or DHCP servers that allocate IP addresses, the specific and crucial function of a router is to manage and facilitate the transmission of data across different networks. This capability is fundamental in both local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs), ensuring that devices can communicate effectively regardless of their physical location in the network architecture.