Which of the following network components is used to connect devices and can efficiently route data to specific destination addresses to minimize packet collisions and improve throughput?

A modem (modulator-demodulator) is used to convert digital signals to analog for transmission over telephone lines or cable and vice versa, not for connecting multiple devices on a local network or routing data.

A repeater amplifies and regenerates network signals to extend network reach, but it does not intelligently route data to specific destinations or minimize collisions.

A network switch operates at Layer 2 (Data Link Layer) of the OSI model, using MAC addresses to forward data frames to specific destination devices. By segmenting the network into collision domains, switches minimize packet collisions and significantly improve network throughput compared to hubs.

A hub is a basic network device that connects multiple devices but broadcasts all incoming data to all connected ports, creating a single collision domain and leading to frequent packet collisions and reduced throughput.