What is a major advantage of using a router in an Ethernet network?

Using a router in an Ethernet network offers significant advantages, one of the most notable being its ability to facilitate communication between different networks. Routers operate at the network layer and are designed to route data between different IP address spaces. This enables devices on separate networks, which may have different protocols or configurations, to communicate effectively.

For example, if you have a local area network (LAN) in one location and need to connect it to a wide area network (WAN) or the internet, a router serves as the intermediary. By determining the best path for data packets to travel between networks, routers ensure that information reaches its destination efficiently, regardless of the underlying network architectures involved. This interconnectivity is essential in modern networking environments where diverse systems need to interact.

With this capability, routers not only enhance connectivity but also support scalability, allowing organizations to expand their networks by linking various subnetworks without losing communication abilities. This makes the router an indispensable component of any comprehensive network setup, facilitating both local and global communications.