What device is used to convert data from an ISP for personal use?

The modem is the device responsible for converting data from an Internet Service Provider (ISP) into a format that can be used by personal devices in a home or an office network. The term "modem" is derived from "modulator-demodulator," which describes its function of modulating and demodulating signals. When data is sent from the ISP, it often arrives as analog signals over telephone lines or cable systems. The modem converts these signals into digital data that can be understood by computers and other digital devices.

Once the modem has performed this conversion, it typically works in conjunction with a router, which can then distribute the internet signal to multiple devices within a network. This makes the modem a crucial piece of hardware for establishing internet connectivity in personal settings.

Other devices like switches and repeaters serve different purposes in a network. A switch helps connect multiple devices within a local network but does not convert ISP data. A repeater simply amplifies signals over long distances but does not modify or translate data formats. Therefore, the modem is the correct answer for this function.