In a network, which device performs the function of forwarding data packets to other networks?

A router is specifically designed to forward data packets between different networks, making it a critical device for network communication. It operates at Layer 3 of the OSI model, which is the Network layer. This layer is responsible for determining the best path for data to travel from the source to the destination across multiple networks.

Routers use routing tables and protocols to make informed decisions about where to send packets, facilitating communication between devices on separate networks or subnetworks. They can also manage traffic by segmenting networks and providing features such as network address translation (NAT), which allows multiple devices on a local network to share a single public IP address.

In contrast, switches operate at Layer 2 of the OSI model and are used to forward frames within the same local area network (LAN). Hubs are basic devices that connect multiple Ethernet devices but do not analyze or route packets, meaning they merely repeat incoming signals to all connected devices. Bridges, similar to switches, primarily connect and filter traffic on the same network segment. Therefore, among the listed devices, the router is the only one that can perform the essential function of forwarding data packets between different networks.