3

Is it just computers that are called hosts? Or routers are called hosts as well?

Rana Mallah
  • 175
  • 1
  • 2
  • 6
  • Possible duplicate of [What is the real difference between host and node?](http://networkengineering.stackexchange.com/questions/19445/what-is-real-difference-between-host-and-node-in-network) – Eddie Feb 24 '16 at 16:39

3 Answers3

6

Although in some literature a host is any system that has an IP address, it more generally refers to "end systems"

A definition of host is given in RFC1122 :

1.1.1 Internet Hosts

     A host computer, or simply "host," is the ultimate consumer of
     communication services.  A host generally executes application
     programs on behalf of user(s), employing network and/or
     Internet communication services in support of this function.
     An Internet host corresponds to the concept of an "End-System"
     used in the OSI protocol suite [INTRO:13].

Following this definition, routers are not hosts (nor switches for example).

Community
  • 1
JFL
  • 19,405
  • 1
  • 32
  • 64
1

"host(s)" is not synonymous with a type of device. Rather, it identifies a system that is "hosting" data or service(s). A router could be considered a host in the proper context. A router could, although there is more clear terminology for it, be considered a host for a specific route to a said subnet that needs the route.

I suppose I was speaking more to the vernacular of IT/IS circles I work within than official definition.

Jack Bahou
  • 41
  • 6
1

Sometimes textbooks refer to routers as hosts when talking about the network layer and its primary goal of moving packets from a sending "host" to a receiving "host". but more accurately, the goal is to send packets between sending and receiving IP addresses, which can be held by edge devices (hosts) and routers. I would not consider a router a host because although it has one or more IP addresses, it cannot run application layer or transport layer protocols.

Ben Trono
  • 11
  • 2