Which device is commonly used to connect a local network to the internet?

A router is commonly used to connect a local network to the internet because it serves as a gateway that directs traffic between the local network and external networks, such as the internet. Routers are designed to route data packets based on their destination IP addresses, enabling communication between devices within a local network (such as computers, smartphones, and printers) and the vast network of the internet.

In addition to connecting to the internet, routers can also support features like Network Address Translation (NAT), firewall capabilities, and DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) to automatically assign IP addresses to devices on the local network. This functionality makes routers essential for managing internet traffic and enabling multiple devices to share a single internet connection efficiently.

While switches, hubs, and bridges serve important roles in local area networks by connecting devices within that network, they do not typically facilitate direct internet access. Switches manage data flow between devices on the same network, hubs broadcast data to all devices without any filtering, and bridges connect different segment of a network but do not connect to external networks directly.