Why does a router maintain an ARP table?

A router maintains an ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) table to map IP addresses to their corresponding MAC (Media Access Control) addresses within a local network. This mapping is essential for facilitating communication between devices on the same subnet, as packets need to be directed to the correct hardware address for proper delivery. By caching this information, the router can efficiently resolve addresses and reduce the need for repeated ARP requests, thereby improving network performance.