What term is used to describe devices that share data in a network?

The term that best describes devices that share data in a network is "nodes." In networking, a node refers to any device that is connected to the network and capable of sending, receiving, or forwarding information. This includes computers, printers, servers, and other networked devices. The fundamental role of nodes is to facilitate communication across the network, allowing data to be shared and accessed by various endpoints.

Routers, for example, are specialized nodes that manage data traffic between networks, but they do not inherently define all devices within a network. Servers are nodes that provide resources, data, services, or programs to other devices, but they serve a specific function. Switches operate within a local network, directing data packets between various nodes, but they are also not a universal descriptor for all interconnected devices. Thus, while all these components may be part of a network, the term "nodes" encompasses the broader category of devices involved in data sharing within a network.