# Data forwarder

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In [telecommunications](/source/Telecommunications), a **data forwarder** or **data forwarding device** is a device that receives [data](/source/Data) from one [data link](/source/Data_link) and retransmits data representing the same [information](/source/Information), using proper [format](/source/Content_format) and [link protocols](/source/Link_protocol), to another data link. In the [packet networks](/source/Packet_network), this act of forwarding is referred to as [packet forwarding](/source/Packet_forwarding) and is performed by [network switches](/source/Network_switch) or [network routers](/source/Network_router).

For example, in the [tactical communications](/source/Tactical_communications) a data forwarder may forward data between:

- links that are identical, *i.e.,* [TADIL](/source/TADIL) B to TADIL B,
- links that are similar, *i.e.,* [TADIL A](/source/MIL-STD-6011) to TADIL B, or
- links that are dissimilar, *i.e.,* [TADIL A](/source/MIL-STD-6011) to [TADIL J](/source/MIL-STD-6016).

More than one source notes that [routers](/source/Router_(computing)) and [bridges](/source/Network_bridge) can function as data forwarding devices.[1][2] Another source suggests, in fact, that [gateways](/source/Gateway_(telecommunications)) are a "special type of data-forwarding device".[3]

## See also

- [Repeater](/source/Repeater)

## References

1. Naugle, Matthew G. (1994). *The illustrated network book: a graphic guide to understanding computer networks*. VNR communications library. New York: [Van Nostrand Reinhold](/source/Van_Nostrand_Reinhold). p. 285. ISBN 978-0-442-01826-9. – via Internet Archive (hourly borrow)

1. Naugle, Matthew G. (1996). *Local area networking*. McGraw-Hill series on computer communications. 2nd ed. New York: [McGraw-Hill Companies](/source/McGraw-Hill_Companies). p. 291. ISBN 978-0-07-912256-8.

1. Craft, Melissa (2003). *Faster smarter Network+ certification: take charge of the Network+ exam-- faster, smarter, better!*. Redmond, Wash: [Microsoft Press](/source/Microsoft_Press). p. 88. ISBN 978-0-7356-1932-6. – via Internet Archive (hourly borrow)

Most of the content arises from:

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Data forwarder](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_forwarder) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_forwarder?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.