What device determines the route data takes between two computers on a network?

What device determines the route data takes between two computers on a network?

• A. Switch
• B. Router
• C. Modem
• D. Firewall

Answer: (B)

Routing traffic between networks is handled by a router. A router sits at the edge of a network and connects multiple networks together. It reads each packet’s destination IP address, checks its routing table, and forwards the packet toward the next hop that leads toward the destination. This decision-making process determines the path the data will take across possibly several networks to reach the other computer. A switch, in contrast, moves data inside a single local network by using MAC addresses to deliver frames to the right device. A modem links your network to your internet service provider but doesn’t determine routes between networks by itself. A firewall examines and filters traffic for security, not the path data takes. So, the device that determines the route data takes between two computers on a network is the router.

Routing traffic between networks is handled by a router. A router sits at the edge of a network and connects multiple networks together. It reads each packet’s destination IP address, checks its routing table, and forwards the packet toward the next hop that leads toward the destination. This decision-making process determines the path the data will take across possibly several networks to reach the other computer.

A switch, in contrast, moves data inside a single local network by using MAC addresses to deliver frames to the right device. A modem links your network to your internet service provider but doesn’t determine routes between networks by itself. A firewall examines and filters traffic for security, not the path data takes. So, the device that determines the route data takes between two computers on a network is the router.