Final answer:
The main answer is that the router will look at the destination IP address to make a forwarding decision. It compares the address with its routing table to determine the most efficient path. This process is essential for the delivery of internet traffic to the appropriate destinations.
Step-by-step explanation:
A router will receive a packet, look at the destination IP address located in the header of the packet, compare it to the routing table, and make a forwarding decision based off that. When a packet arrives at a router, the router examines the header data, which contains various pieces of information including the destination IP address. This address is a unique identifier for the intended recipient computer or network interface. As part of its operation, the router maintains a routing table that lists which paths to use to forward packets to their respective destinations. By matching the destination IP address with the information in the routing table, the router determines the most efficient path for the packet and sends it accordingly.
This forwarding process is critical for directing internet traffic efficiently and forms the foundation of network communication. The router's decision-making process ensures that the data reaches its target by the most appropriate route possible, which is determined by protocols such as the Internet Protocol (IP).