What is the function of a router in a network?

The function of a router in a network is primarily to connect different networks and facilitate the routing of data packets between them. Routers operate at the network layer of the OSI model, making critical decisions about the best paths for data to travel across complex interconnections of networks, which can include both local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs).

This routing capability enables communications between devices on separate networks, ensuring that data reaches its correct destination efficiently. Routers also manage traffic, control data flow, and enhance security through features such as firewall capabilities and network address translation (NAT).

In contrast, connecting devices within the same network is typically the role of switches rather than routers. Providing wireless connectivity is the function of wireless access points or routers with built-in wireless capabilities, but it does not encapsulate the primary role of a router. Storing data for backup purposes is a function associated with storage devices rather than routers, as routers do not perform data storage tasks. Thus, the correct function of a router encompasses its crucial role in connecting and routing data between distinct networks.