Which device is used to connect different networks and can perform network address translation (NAT)?

The device that connects different networks and performs network address translation (NAT) is a router. Routers are designed to manage traffic between multiple networks by directing data packets based on their IP addresses. NAT is a technique employed by routers to allow multiple devices on a local network to access the internet using a single public IP address. This is particularly useful for conserving IP addresses and enhancing network security by hiding the internal IP addresses from the outside world.

In contrast, hubs are basic networking devices that connect multiple devices within the same network segment and do not have the intelligence to route traffic or translate addresses. Switches operate at a more advanced level than hubs by intelligently forwarding data only to the device that requires it, but they do not connect different networks or perform NAT. Repeaters, on the other hand, simply amplify signals to extend the range of a network but have no capability for network management or address translation.