What type of device primarily connects multiple networks together?

A router is the device that primarily connects multiple networks together. Unlike other networking devices, routers are specifically designed to route traffic between different networks, directing data packets from one network to another based on their destination IP addresses. This capability allows routers to connect disparate networks, including local area networks (LANs) to wide area networks (WANs) and to the internet.

For instance, in a typical home or office setup, a router connects your internal network (such as various devices connected via Ethernet or Wi-Fi) to the internet, allowing all connected devices to communicate with external networks. This involves analyzing the data packets and determining the best path for their delivery, which is essential for effective network communication.

In contrast, switches primarily operate within a single local area network to connect devices and facilitate communication between them without the need for routing to an external network. Hubs are less intelligent and simply relay data to all connected devices within the same network segment. Access points serve as gateways for wireless devices to connect to a wired network but do not manage traffic between different networks like a router does.