What is the primary function of a firewall in a network?

The primary function of a firewall in a network is to provide a secure barrier and control traffic. Firewalls act as a protective boundary between trusted internal networks and untrusted external networks, such as the internet. Their main role is to monitor and filter incoming and outgoing traffic based on predefined security rules. By doing so, firewalls help prevent unauthorized access and protect systems from various types of cyberattacks, including intrusion attempts and malware.

In addition to controlling network traffic, firewalls can facilitate access control, logging, and monitoring activities for security compliance. They can protect a network by blocking malicious traffic while allowing legitimate communication based on specific criteria, contributing to the overall security posture of an organization.

The other options describe functions that are not related to firewalls. For example, distributing IP addresses is typically the role of a DHCP server, while storing large amounts of data is associated with data storage systems or databases. Converting data into digital format relates to data processing or digitization technologies rather than firewall operations.