What is the primary function of a router?

The primary function of a router is to forward data packets between networks. Routers serve as devices that manage traffic between different networks by directing data packets to their intended destinations. This involves determining the best path for data to take as it travels across interconnected networks, ensuring efficient and accurate delivery.

In essence, routers play a crucial role in enabling communication between devices on different networks, such as connecting a home network to the internet or linking multiple organizational networks together. By forwarding packets, routers also allow for device-to-device communication across wide areas, making them essential for maintaining network connectivity in both private and public environments.

While connecting a computer to the internet is a common function that incorporates the use of a router, it is not the router's primary purpose, as routers facilitate connections between multiple networks rather than just serving a single device. The other options listed do not accurately reflect the core functionality of routers, highlighting the specific role routers play in network communication.