Asked by k.

Name one networking device you learned about today and explain what it does.

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
One device: a router.

What it does: a router forwards data packets between different networks (for example, between your home LAN and the Internet). It examines the destination IP address, consults a routing table (and possibly routing protocols like OSPF or BGP), and chooses the best next-hop to send the packet. In home/office gear routers also provide NAT (translating private LAN addresses to a public IP), DHCP to assign IPs, and basic firewalling. Routers operate at OSI Layer 3 (the network layer), unlike switches which forward within a local network at Layer 2.