IP Host

IP Host

IP host is a network node that has an IP address assigned to it and can send or receive IP packets to or from the network through a network interface.

Network Interface

A network interface (NIC-Network Interface Card) is an endpoint of a communication that occurs over a computer network. The network interface is the point of connection between a computer and a computer network.

An IP host may have multiple network interfaces, and therefore multiple IP addresses.

Network interface naming conventions:

• Cisco: GigabitEthernet0/0, FastEthernet0/0, Serial0/0
• Linux: eth0, wlan0, lo (loopback)
• Windows: Local Area Connection, Wireless Network Connection

IP Host Types

IP hosts can be categorized by their function in the network:

• End devices - computers, servers, printers, phones
• Network devices - routers, switches, firewalls

Each IP host must have at least one network interface to participate in IP communication, but may have multiple interfaces for redundancy or to connect to different network segments.