What is the primary role of a router in a network?

The primary role of a router in a network is to direct data packets between different networks. Routers operate at Layer 3 of the OSI model, which is the network layer, and are responsible for determining the best path for data to travel from the source to the destination across interconnected networks. They accomplish this by examining the destination IP address of incoming packets and using routing tables to decide where to forward these packets next.

This capability is crucial for enabling communication across diverse networks, such as between a local area network (LAN) and the internet. Without routers, devices within different networks would not be able to communicate with each other effectively. Routers also implement various protocols for routing (like OSPF or BGP), manage traffic loads, and take care of packet forwarding.

Connecting devices within the same network segment is typically a function of switches rather than routers. Similarly, while encryption is important for data security, it is not a primary function of routers; dedicated security devices or software typically handle encryption. Lastly, assigning IP addresses to devices is the role of a DHCP server rather than a router, although some routers have DHCP capabilities built in.