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host - technical definition

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The central computer in a mainframe or midrange computer environment to which the networks and terminals connect. See also computer, mainframe computer, midrange computer, network, and terminal.
In telecommunications, local area networks (LANs), and networks, in general, a server that functions to provide programs or data files to client computers. See also client, LAN, telecommunications, network, and server.
In the Internet, any computer that can serve as a source or destination for data transfers.An Internet host has a unique Internet Protocol (IP) address and unique domain name. See also domain, Internet, and IP.

See host in Webster''s New World Hacker Dictionary

A computer that permits users to communicate with other computers on a network by providing a service. Individual users access these services through application programs such as electronic mail (email), FTP, and telnet.

See Also: Electronic Mail or Email; FTP (File Transfer Protocol); Network; Telnet.

QUT Division of Technology, Information and Learning Support. Network Glossary. [Online, July 17, 2003.] QUT Division of Technology, Information and Learning Support Website. http://www.its.qut.edu.au/network/glossary.jsp.

See host in Computer

(1) A computer that acts as a source of information or signals. The term can refer to any computer, from a centralized mainframe to a server to a client PC (user's machine). In a network, clients and servers are hosts because they are both sources of information in contrast to network devices, such as routers and switches, which are responsible only for directing traffic. See host adapter and host name.

(2) To have in one's possession. When you "host a computer system," the system is running in your facility. It is technically accurate to say that "the company hosts many hosts," but such usage would only sound strange.

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