A printer or scanner connected to a network is called what?

A printer or scanner connected to a network is referred to as a peripheral device. Peripheral devices are external devices that supplement the capabilities of a computer, enabling it to perform functions that it would not be able to do alone. In the context of printers and scanners, they serve as input and output devices that work alongside a computer system to facilitate printing documents or scanning images.

This classification as a peripheral device is underscored by their role in connecting to a network, which allows multiple users on that network to access the printer or scanner. Such connectivity enhances the functionality and usability of these devices, making it convenient for users to share resources in an office or home setting.

In contrast, the other terms refer to different concepts: a network device typically refers to hardware that facilitates communication within a network, a host refers to any computer that provides data or services to other computers, and a client device denotes a computer or terminal that accesses services from a server, rather than providing them.