Which of the following networking devices interconnects two or more computer networks, and selectively interchanges packets of data between them?
Answer(s): A
Explanation:
A router is a device that routes data packets between computers in different networks. It is used to connect multiple networks, and it determines the path to be taken by each data packet to its destination computer.
A router maintains a routing table of the available routes and their conditions. By using this information, along with distance and cost algorithms, the router determines the best path to be taken by the data packets to the destination computer.
A router can connect dissimilar networks, such as Ethernet, FDDI, and Token Ring, and route data packets among them. Routers operate at the network layer (layer 3) of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model.
A router is a device that interconnects two or more computer networks, and selectively interchanges packets of data between them.Answer option D is incorrect.
A bridge is an interconnectivity device that connects two local area networks (LANs) or two segments of the same LAN using the same communication protocols, and provides address filtering between them. Users can use this device to divide busy networks into segments and reduce network traffic.
A bridge broadcasts data packets to all the possible destinations within a specific segment. Bridges operate at the data-link layer of the OSI model.
Answer option B is incorrect.
A hub is a device used to link computers in a network. It connects computers that have a common architecture, such as Ethernet, ARCnet, FDDI, or Token Ring. All hub-computer connections for a particular network use the same type of cable, which can be twisted-pair, coaxial, or fiber-optic. Hubs are generally used in star topology networks. Token Ring hubs are also known as Multistation Access Units (MSAUs).
A hub works on the physical layer of the OSI model.
Answer option C is incorrect.
A switch is a network device that selects a path or circuit for sending a data unit to its next destination. It is not required in smaller networks, but is required in large inter-networks, where there can be many possible ways of transmitting a message from a sender to destination. The function of switch is to select the best possible path.On an Ethernet local area network (LAN), a switch determines from the physical device (Media Access Control or MAC) address in each incoming message frame which output port to forward it to and out of. In a wide area packet-switched network, such as the Internet, a switch determines from the IP address in each packet which output port to use for the next part of its trip to the intended destination.
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