A device that has enough intelligence to be connect one, or many, devices to other devices. Typically used in Local Area Networks to connect desktop computers to printers or file servers. (2) An ATN Network Layer Gateway which performs the relaying and Routing of Data packets across interconnecting subnetworks based on the Source and Destination Network Layer addresses and the desired quality of network service (3) The device or Software that determines the next network point to which a Packet (q.v.) will be forwarded. The packet travels from point to point along the network until it arrives at its destination.