Which device is primarily responsible for directing data packets to specific destinations within a network?

The device primarily responsible for directing data packets to specific destinations within a network is a switch. A switch operates at the data link layer of the OSI model and is designed to receive incoming data packets and forward them to the correct device on a local area network (LAN) based on the MAC (Media Access Control) addresses of the devices.

When a switch receives a data packet, it checks the destination MAC address and looks up this address in its MAC address table to determine which port to use for forwarding the packet. This allows switches to efficiently manage data traffic within the LAN, reducing collisions and improving overall network performance.

While routers also direct data packets, they function primarily at the network layer and are typically used to connect different networks together, such as a local network to the Internet. Routers use IP addresses for their forwarding decisions and can handle more complex routing tasks, such as determining the best path for data across multiple networks.

In contrast, a hub operates at the physical layer and broadcasts incoming packets to all connected devices without any intelligent processing, making it less efficient. A modem is used for converting digital data into a format suitable for transmission over different media, such as phone lines or cable systems, and is not directly involved in directing packets within a network