In order for differing networks to communicate with each other, we need to use which of the following to translate between the networks?

The correct choice—router—plays a crucial role in enabling communication between different networks. Routers are specifically designed to take incoming data packets from one network and determine the best path for them to reach their destination network. They examine the destination IP addresses contained within the packets and use routing tables and protocols to make decisions about how to forward them.

Routers can connect dissimilar networks, such as a local area network (LAN) to the internet (a wide area network), enabling different network architectures to communicate effectively. This is essential in scenarios where protocols may not be the same or where different technologies are being utilized across networks.

In contrast, devices such as switches operate primarily within a single network segment, facilitating communication between devices by connecting them and managing data traffic within that specific network. Hubs function similarly but do so by broadcasting data to all devices on a network, lacking the intelligent data handling that switches and routers provide. Bridges are used to connect and filter traffic between two segments of the same network but do not facilitate communication between distinct networks. Thus, a router is the necessary device for translating and directing traffic across differing networks.