Which device connects multiple computers and devices in a network using ports?

The correct answer is a device known as a switch. A switch is specifically designed to connect multiple computers and devices within a local area network (LAN). It uses ports to facilitate communication between devices, allowing them to send and receive data efficiently. Each port on a switch connects to a different device, enabling direct communication paths that help in managing traffic within the network effectively.

In contrast, routers are responsible for connecting different networks and directing data between them, serving a different function than a switch. Hubs also connect multiple devices, but they operate in a more simplistic manner by broadcasting incoming data packets to all ports, which can lead to network collisions and inefficiencies. Modems, on the other hand, are used primarily to connect a network to the internet, converting signals from digital to analog and vice versa, and do not function as a device to connect multiple computers directly within a local network.