What type of technology is used to interconnect different network segments?

Gateway technology is designed to interconnect different network segments by serving as a "gate" between networks that use different protocols or architectures. Unlike routers that primarily connect segments of the same network type or model, gateways can translate data formats, communication protocols, and even address schemes, making them essential when disparate networks need to communicate.

For instance, if you have a local area network (LAN) utilizing a certain protocol and you need to connect it to a wide area network (WAN) that operates on a different protocol, a gateway is the appropriate device to handle this translation. This ability to bridge networks allows for interaction and data exchange across various systems, enhancing interoperability and communication between heterogeneous networks.

In contrast, switching technology focuses on connecting devices within the same network segment by directing data packets specifically to their destination without changing the data format, while router technology is more about forwarding packets between networks based on IP addresses and routing tables. Hub technology, being a basic and largely obsolete type of device, simply connects multiple devices in the same network segment but does not facilitate communication between different network types.