What are the primary functions of a router?

• A. Path determination and packet switching
• B. Frame encoding
• C. IP address assignment
• D. Error checking only

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that a router’s job is to connect different networks by choosing where a packet should go next and then moving it toward that destination. This involves path determination, where the device uses routing tables and protocols to decide the best next hop toward the final network. Once that next hop is known, the router forwards the packet across its interfaces, effectively switching the packet toward the next network leg. This per-packet decision and forward action is at the heart of what routers do.

Frame encoding is handled by network interface hardware and the data link layer, not by routing decisions. IP address assignment is usually a function of a DHCP server or service, not the router’s primary routing role, though some routers may offer DHCP features as an added capability. Error checking—like CRCs on frames—occurs at the link layer rather than being the router’s central purpose.