What is contained in the ROM memory of a router?

The content found in the ROM (Read-Only Memory) of a router primarily includes microcode for basic functions and firmware required to perform essential tasks. The microcode acts as an intermediary, translating high-level commands into low-level machine instructions that the router's hardware can execute. This ROM also contains the bootloader, which is responsible for loading the operating system into the router’s RAM when it powers on.

While operating system files for advanced functions are typically stored in flash memory, data logs and configurations can be stored in NVRAM (Non-Volatile RAM), and temporary storage for routing tables is held in RAM. Thus, the correct answer reflects the basic foundational role that ROM plays in a router’s operation, ensuring that critical functions can be maintained even before the more sophisticated aspects of the operating system are loaded.