Which device forwards data based on MAC addresses?

The device that forwards data based on MAC addresses is a switch. Switches operate at the data link layer of the OSI model and are responsible for directing data packets to the appropriate device within a local area network (LAN). When a switch receives a data frame, it examines the destination MAC address contained in the frame. It then looks up this address in its MAC address table, which maps MAC addresses to specific ports on the switch. Once it identifies the correct port, the switch forwards the frame only to that port, ensuring efficient and effective communication between devices on the network.

In contrast, routers operate at the network layer and forward data based on IP addresses, not MAC addresses. Hubs, which function at the physical layer, do not have the capability to analyze addresses; they simply broadcast incoming data packets to all connected devices without regard for their destinations. Servers provide services and resources to clients but do not function as forwarding devices based on MAC addressing. Therefore, a switch is the correct choice for a device that forwards data based on MAC addresses.