Router

A router forwards packets between networks by examining destination addresses and consulting routing information. It selects an outgoing interface and next hop for each packet.

IP forwarding: The process of sending an IP packet from one network interface toward its destination. This is the per-packet operation a router performs after selecting an outgoing path.
IP address: A numerical identifier assigned to an interface or endpoint for communication using Internet Protocol. The destination address is the principal clue a router uses to forward an IP packet.
Network switch: A device that forwards frames among devices on a local network, usually using MAC addresses. A switch commonly connects devices within one network, while a router forwards between networks.
Wireless router: A router that also provides wireless local-area network access, typically using Wi-Fi. It combines packet routing with wireless connectivity for devices on a home or small-office network.
Routing table: A data structure containing destination prefixes and the paths or interfaces used to reach them. Routers consult these entries to choose where packets should go.
Subnet: A logically defined portion of an IP network identified by an address prefix. Routers connect subnets and use their prefixes to distinguish directly reachable destinations.
Bridge: A device that connects or segments local network links by forwarding frames at the data-link layer. Bridges forward within a link-layer network rather than routing between IP networks.
Home network: A local network connecting devices and internet access within a residence. A home router commonly links local devices to an internet service provider.
Longest-prefix match: A rule that selects the matching route with the most specific destination address prefix. It resolves overlapping route entries when a router looks up a packet's destination.
Ethernet: A family of wired networking technologies that carries frames across local-area networks. Routers often receive and transmit packets inside Ethernet frames on local links.

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