What protocol enables inter-network communication across multiple LAN segments and networks via routers?

What protocol enables inter-network communication across multiple LAN segments and networks via routers?

• A. TCP
• B. UDP
• C. IP
• D. ARP

Answer: (C)

The idea being tested is how inter-network communication is achieved across multiple LANs and networks. This is handled at the network layer by the IP protocol. IP provides logical addressing and routing so routers can forward packets from one network to another. Each IP packet carries a destination address, and routers read that address to determine the next hop toward the destination, enabling communication across diverse networks and through multiple network segments. The other options sit at different layers or serve different purposes. TCP and UDP are transport-layer protocols that provide end-to-end delivery services for applications but they don’t perform routing between networks. ARP resolves a local IP address to a MAC address on a single LAN to allow local-frame delivery, not inter-network routing.

The idea being tested is how inter-network communication is achieved across multiple LANs and networks. This is handled at the network layer by the IP protocol. IP provides logical addressing and routing so routers can forward packets from one network to another. Each IP packet carries a destination address, and routers read that address to determine the next hop toward the destination, enabling communication across diverse networks and through multiple network segments.

The other options sit at different layers or serve different purposes. TCP and UDP are transport-layer protocols that provide end-to-end delivery services for applications but they don’t perform routing between networks. ARP resolves a local IP address to a MAC address on a single LAN to allow local-frame delivery, not inter-network routing.