Which one of these can connect directly to the Internet?

Servers can connect directly to the Internet because they are designed to manage network resources and to handle multiple requests from clients for data services. They operate as hosts in the network infrastructure, providing services such as web hosting, file sharing, and application hosting. Servers have static IP addresses and are always on to ensure they can respond to requests at any time.

In contrast, packets are units of data that travel across a network and do not connect to the Internet themselves; they are merely the means of transmission. Internet users, typically represented by end-users, often connect to the Internet through devices like computers or smartphones, which rely on clients or servers for access. Clients, like user devices and applications, are configured to request services or data from servers, but they do not serve as direct access points to the Internet without going through a server or router. Thus, servers stand out as the components that can independently interface with the Internet.