What role does a router play in a network?

A router primarily serves to connect different networks, allowing them to communicate with each other. It functions as a device that forwards data packets between networks by determining the best paths for data transfer. Routers operate at the network layer of the OSI model, and they use protocols like IP (Internet Protocol) to find the most efficient routes across the interconnected networks.

For example, when a device on one network needs to send data to a device on another network, the router receives the data, reads its destination address, and decides the appropriate network to send it to based on its routing table. This capability is essential for the internet, as it interlinks millions of networks around the world.

While there are other devices in a network that handle signal amplification, management of local devices, or storing configurations, these functions are not the primary roles of a router. Amplifying signals is typically handled by repeaters or amplifiers, local devices management is a function of switches or access points, and configurations are often stored in network management systems or on specific devices designed for that purpose.