Which device is responsible for routing traffic within different networks?

The device responsible for routing traffic between different networks is the router. A router functions by examining the destination IP address of packets and making forwarding decisions based on the information contained in its routing table. Routers are designed to manage traffic between distinct networks, allowing for communication and data transfer between devices on separate networks. This capability is essential for enabling internet connectivity, as it connects local networks to external networks, such as the internet.

Switches, on the other hand, operate mainly within a single network by directing traffic based on MAC addresses, making them suitable for local communication but not for inter-network routing. Hubs only pass along signals to all connected devices without any intelligent processing or filtering of traffic, which does not allow for network differentiation. Bridges, while they may connect two segments of a single network, do not perform routing functions across different networks in the same way routers do.