What is the term for a device that forwards a request from one computer to another?

What is the term for a device that forwards a request from one computer to another?

• A. Forwards a request from one computer in a network to another
• B. Provides end-to-end encryption for all traffic
• C. Keeps all log files for the network
• D. Delivers power to network devices

Answer: (A)

In networking, forwarding a request from one computer to another is done by a router. A router sits between networks and uses the destination IP address on each packet to decide the next hop toward its destination, moving data from your local network toward the broader Internet or between different network segments. This is a layer 3 (Network) function, focusing on routing paths and inter-network connectivity rather than simply delivering data within a single network. A router’s job is different from a switch, which mainly forwards data within the same local network using MAC addresses. The other options describe functions unrelated to routing: end-to-end encryption protects data privacy, keeping log files is about recording activity, and delivering power to devices (Power over Ethernet) is about power, not traffic forwarding.

In networking, forwarding a request from one computer to another is done by a router. A router sits between networks and uses the destination IP address on each packet to decide the next hop toward its destination, moving data from your local network toward the broader Internet or between different network segments. This is a layer 3 (Network) function, focusing on routing paths and inter-network connectivity rather than simply delivering data within a single network.

A router’s job is different from a switch, which mainly forwards data within the same local network using MAC addresses. The other options describe functions unrelated to routing: end-to-end encryption protects data privacy, keeping log files is about recording activity, and delivering power to devices (Power over Ethernet) is about power, not traffic forwarding.