What type of network device is used to segment a network into multiple broadcast domains?

A router is the device used to segment a network into multiple broadcast domains. Routers operate at Layer 3 of the OSI model, which means they can analyze and route packets based on their IP addresses. When a router connects different network segments, it prevents broadcast traffic from one segment from reaching another, effectively creating separate broadcast domains. This is crucial for reducing unnecessary traffic in larger networks and improving overall performance.

In contrast, switches, which operate at Layer 2, can create multiple collision domains but not broadcast domains on their own. Hubs and repeaters operate at lower layers of the OSI model and simply forward signals without any means of segmenting traffic or creating domains. Thus, the correct understanding of how routers function in network segmentation justifies why they play a vital role in managing and structuring efficient networking environments.