Which type of node on a network serves as a portal to other networks?

A gateway serves as a portal to other networks by enabling communication between networks that may use different protocols. It acts as a translator between different network architectures or data formats, allowing data to flow seamlessly from one network to another, which is essential in a diverse networking environment.

For instance, if a company has both a local area network (LAN) and connects to a wide area network (WAN) or the internet, a gateway can facilitate the exchange of data between these different systems. This role is crucial when integrating systems or accessing external networks, making gateways vital in modern network architectures.

In contrast, repeaters, switches, and routers have different functions. A repeater amplifies signals to extend transmission distances, a switch connects devices within the same network and directs data packets to their destination within that network, and a router typically directs data traffic between different networks but does not perform protocol translation in the way a gateway does.