What type of equipment does the term Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) refer to?

Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) specifically refers to the hardware that is located on the user's premises and is connected to a telecommunications network. This equipment can include anything from telephones, modems, routers, and other devices that facilitate communication services provided by an internet service provider or telecom operator. The defining characteristic of CPE is its installation and usage on the customer's site, allowing them to access network services.

The other options represent different types of equipment that do not fit the definition of CPE. Network devices used for routing data, such as routers and switches, may be part of a broader networking setup but aren't exclusively considered CPE since they can also be operated and maintained by service providers. Servers used for data storage are typically housed in data centers rather than at customer sites. Finally, software for network management does not constitute physical equipment and, therefore, falls outside the scope of what CPE encompasses.