What role does a router play in a network?

A router plays a crucial role in a network by directing data traffic between different networks. This function involves receiving data packets from one network and determining the best path for that data to reach its intended destination, whether it is another network or the internet. The router uses addressing information within the packets to make routing decisions, ensuring efficient data transmission.

This routing capability is essential for enabling communication between devices on separate local area networks (LANs) or wide area networks (WANs), as routers connect these different network segments. They also manage traffic by optimizing routes, reducing congestion, and improving the overall performance of network communications.

In contrast, connecting a computer to a printer pertains to local device connections and is typically handled by different hardware like print servers or USB cables. Generating random IP addresses is not a primary feature of routers, which generally assign IP addresses based on established protocols like DHCP. Storing backup data usually refers to storage solutions rather than the core function of a router in data traffic management.