Final answer:
At the distribution layer in an enterprise network, routers are responsible for routing traffic between VLANs and subnets and implementing policies for network access and security.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a large enterprise network, routers at the distribution layer perform several critical functions. One key function is to route traffic between different subnets and VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks), which involves making decisions about the paths that data should take to reach its destination. This is accomplished using routing protocols and routing tables to determine the most efficient route. Another important function is to implement policies for network access and security, which can include access control lists (ACLs), packet filtering, and quality of service (QoS) rules to prioritize different types of traffic, such as voice over IP (VoIP) or streaming video.
By separating broadcast domains, routers prevent network congestion caused by excessive broadcast traffic. This is achieved by dividing the network into multiple smaller subnets at the distribution layer, which helps organize and manage network traffic more efficiently.
Additonally, routers at the distribution layer implement access control lists to control and filter network traffic based on certain criteria. For example, ACLs can be used to restrict access to certain resources or limit the flow of traffic based on specific protocols or ports.