Which component inside a computer's CPU connects it to a network?

The component that connects a computer's CPU to a network is the Network Interface Card (NIC). The NIC is a hardware component that facilitates communication over a network, whether it be a local area network (LAN) or a broader internet connection. It allows the computer to send and receive data over the network, translating the digital data from the computer into a format that can be transmitted over network cables or wirelessly.

The other components mentioned serve different functions. The motherboard is the primary circuit board that houses the CPU and other critical components, but it does not directly provide network connectivity. The modem is responsible for converting digital signals from a computer into analog signals suitable for transmission over telephone lines and vice versa; however, it requires a NIC to connect to the computer. The processor is the core processing unit of the computer, executing instructions but does not handle network connections by itself. Therefore, the NIC is essential for establishing that link between the computer and a network.