Routers do not forward broadcast packets. Group of answer choices True False
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: True
Explanation:
Routers do not forward broadcast packets. This behavior is by design and is a fundamental part of how networks are segmented and managed. A broadcast packet is one that is sent from one device to all devices within the same network segment or broadcast domain. It uses a special destination address, typically all 1s in binary (such as 255.255.255.255 for IPv4), which tells the devices on the local network to listen and possibly respond.
Broadcast packets are common in local area networks (LANs) for tasks like address resolution (for example, ARP or Address Resolution Protocol) or for services like DHCP. These packets are useful within a small, controlled environment where devices need to discover each other or request configuration.
However, allowing broadcast traffic to pass beyond the local network segment would be inefficient and potentially harmful. If routers forwarded broadcast packets, they could spread across many networks, leading to a broadcast storm that could slow down or even crash large networks. For this reason, routers are programmed to drop broadcast packets at the interface where they are received, effectively containing them within their own subnet or broadcast domain.
This behavior helps create isolated segments of traffic. Each segment can handle its own broadcasts without affecting others. This is also why networks are divided using routers—to control traffic, enhance security, and improve performance. To send data from one network to another, devices must use unicast packets (directly addressed to a specific device) or multicast packets (targeted to a specific group of devices), which routers can forward based on their routing tables.
In summary, routers do not forward broadcast packets because it would create excessive and unnecessary network traffic across different network segments, reducing efficiency and increasing the risk of network failure.