networkhost

Networkhost is a term used to describe any device that participates in a network and can be addressed at the network layer. In common usage, a network host is synonymous with a host and identifies a device that can send, receive, or relay data over an IP network. A network host may run application services such as a web server, file server, or email server, act as a client, or provide infrastructure services like DNS, DHCP, or NTP.

Hosts are identified by a network address, typically an IP address, and are often given a hostname that resolves to that address through name resolution systems such as DNS or the hosts file. The hostname is a human-readable label used to refer to the device, while the IP address is used for routing. In URL syntax, the portion after the scheme is the network host.

The same device can be considered a host in some contexts but an intermediate node in others. For example, a home router may be a host when it has an IP address and runs a management interface, but it is primarily a gateway or router rather than a typical end-user host.

Management and security practices for network hosts include keeping software up to date, configuring firewalls, hardening services, monitoring availability, and maintaining an inventory of devices. Host discovery and monitoring are common in network administration using tools that perform ping or ARP sweeps, service checks, and port scanning. See also: host, node, DNS, DNS hostname, IP address.