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

The primary function of a router in a network is to connect different networks and direct traffic between them. Routers serve as the traffic managers of the network, ensuring that data packets are sent to their appropriate destinations based on their IP addresses. By examining the destination address in the data packets, routers decide the most efficient path for the data to travel, effectively managing the flow of information across various networks, such as a home network and the internet.

In addition to facilitating communication between disparate networks, routers often incorporate features such as Network Address Translation (NAT) to allow multiple devices on a private network to share a single public IP address, further optimizing the routing of traffic. They play a crucial role in network efficiency, connectivity, and communication, making them essential components in both small scale (like home setups) and large scale (like corporate environments) networking infrastructures.