Data packets sent to an address are handled differently depending on the network configuration: routers manage traffic between various networks, while switches direct traffic within the same network. Hubs and modems have roles separate from packet direction.
A packet sent to an address will be read by a router when directed across different networks, while a switch reads packets when sending information within the same network.
In the context of computer networking, different devices are responsible for handling data packets based on the type of network configuration and the destination of the packets. A router is a device that manages traffic between different networks by directing data packets based on their IP addresses. Routers operate at the network layer of the OSI model and are used to connect multiple networks together, such as connecting a home network to the internet. A switch, on the other hand, operates at the data link layer and is used to connect devices within the same network, ensuring that packets are transferred to the correct devices within that network. Hubs and modems play different roles in network communication, with hubs being simple devices that broadcast packets to all connected devices and modems modulating and demodulating signals for transmission over telephone lines or cable.
The correct devices that read sent packets are routers and switches, depending on whether the destination is across different networks or within the same network, respectively.