Final answer:
Routers are network equipment responsible for routing data between computer networks. They forward data packets along efficient paths using protocols.
Step-by-step explanation:
Routers are the piece of network equipment that are primarily responsible for routing data between computer networks. They forward data packets along the most efficient paths, ensuring that the data reaches its intended destination. Routers use protocols, such as the Internet Protocol (IP), to determine the best path for data transmission.
For example, if you want to access a website hosted on a server in a different country, your request will be routed through various routers in the network. Each router examines the destination IP address and decides the next hop based on its routing table.
Routers are essential in enabling communication between different networks, such as the internet, local area networks (LANs), and wide area networks (WANs). They enable devices within a network to connect to other networks and access resources and services available on those networks.