Which of the following device types is needed within a computer to read information on a CD- ROM?

A network card facilitates network communication, not the reading of physical optical media.

An optical drive, such as a CD-ROM drive, uses a laser to read the microscopic pits and lands on the surface of a compact disc, translating them into digital data that the computer can process. This specialized hardware is the only component listed that can interact with the physical media of a CD-ROM.

A video card processes and outputs graphical information to a display, unrelated to reading data from a CD-ROM.

A solid state drive is a type of non-volatile storage that uses integrated circuit assemblies, not designed to read removable optical discs.