Which component of the Internet is responsible for routing traffic between different networks?

The component of the Internet responsible for routing traffic between different networks is a router. Routers are designed to analyze data packets and determine the best path for them to travel across interconnected networks. They connect multiple networks together and make intelligent decisions about how to forward data packets based on their destination IP addresses.

Routers utilize routing tables and protocols to dynamically adjust to changes in network topology, ensuring efficient data delivery. This function is vital for the Internet's operation, allowing diverse networks to communicate effectively with one another, whether they are a part of the same local area network or connect across vast distances and varying network types.

In contrast, switches primarily operate within a local area network, directing data traffic between devices on the same network rather than between different networks. Hubs serve as basic devices that connect multiple Ethernet devices, but they do not have routing capabilities and simply pass data to all ports. Modems, on the other hand, convert digital data from a computer to analog for transmission over communication lines and vice versa; they do not route traffic between networks.