How does a router facilitate the movement of packets across a network?

A router is a critical component in networking that primarily functions to direct the traffic between multiple devices and networks. It does this by connecting devices, such as computers and printers, and employing various network protocols to determine the best path for data packets to travel. Routers analyze the packet's destination address and send the packets along the most efficient route, ensuring that data reaches its intended target across potentially complex networks.

Network protocols play an essential role in this process, as they define the rules and standards for communication between devices. This includes determining how packets are formatted, sent, and received, thus enabling compatibility between different devices and network types. By operating based on these protocols, routers can manage data flow effectively, balancing traffic and reducing the likelihood of congestion.

While decoding packet information, temporarily storing packets, and filtering out unnecessary traffic are functions that can be involved in network management, they are not primary actions of a router in the same way connecting devices and employing protocols is. Instead, those functionalities might be specific to firewalls, switches, or other networking devices.