Which term refers to devices that send or receive data?

Which term refers to devices that send or receive data?

• A. A network node
• B. Host
• C. NIC
• D. PAN

Answer: (B)

In networking, the term that best fits devices that send or receive data is the host. A host is any device that runs user-facing applications and communicates over the network to send and receive data—things like computers, servers, printers, or smartphones. The NIC (network interface card) is the hardware that enables a device to connect to the network and move data, but it’s a component of a device rather than the device’s role itself. A network node is a broader label for any device on the network that can forward or process data, which includes routers and switches as well as hosts, so it’s too general for this specific idea. A PAN refers to a personal area network, describing the network scope rather than a particular device type. So, the device that sends or receives data most directly fits the idea of a host.

In networking, the term that best fits devices that send or receive data is the host. A host is any device that runs user-facing applications and communicates over the network to send and receive data—things like computers, servers, printers, or smartphones. The NIC (network interface card) is the hardware that enables a device to connect to the network and move data, but it’s a component of a device rather than the device’s role itself. A network node is a broader label for any device on the network that can forward or process data, which includes routers and switches as well as hosts, so it’s too general for this specific idea. A PAN refers to a personal area network, describing the network scope rather than a particular device type. So, the device that sends or receives data most directly fits the idea of a host.