Which network device is primarily responsible for transmitting data to the appropriate node?

The switch is primarily responsible for transmitting data to the appropriate node because it operates at the data link layer (Layer 2) of the OSI model. It uses MAC addresses to determine the destination of incoming packets, making intelligent decisions about forwarding them only to the specific device that needs the data, rather than broadcasting it to all nodes in the network. This ability to direct traffic efficiently reduces network congestion and improves overall performance.

Other devices, such as routers, work at a higher level (Layer 3) and are responsible for directing data between different networks, while hubs and repeaters simply transmit data without making decisions based on destination. Hubs send incoming data packets to all connected devices, and repeaters amplify or regenerate signals to extend their range, without any intelligence in directing data to specific nodes. Thus, the switch is distinctly designed for routing data to the appropriate endpoint within a local area network.