Which network device is primarily used to transmit packets between different network segments?

The function of a router is to transmit packets between different network segments. Routers operate at the network layer (Layer 3) of the OSI model and are responsible for determining the best path for data to travel across interconnected networks. They analyze the destination IP address of packets and make forwarding decisions based on routing tables and protocols.

Routing allows routers to connect different networks, such as a local area network (LAN) to a wide area network (WAN), facilitating communication between devices on separate networks. This capability is essential for data transmission over the Internet and for connecting multiple subnets within larger organizational networks.

In contrast, a switch primarily operates within a single network segment, functioning at the data link layer (Layer 2) to forward data based on MAC addresses. Hubs, which operate at Layer 1, simply transmit data to all connected devices in the same segment without any filtering or addressing capabilities. Bridges, while they can connect different network segments, are generally used to segment traffic within a single network and do not have the routing capabilities necessary for packets to traverse different networks.