A network host is a single computer or machine connected to another computer either by physical connection or via an internet connection. A network host can act as a virtual server providing additional services, information, and programs to other computers on the same network or a single computer acting as a gateway connecting different computers on different networks. Hosts are usually assigned to only one network address to avoid conflicts with other computers on the same network. They may also be used as a source of authentication, broadcasting a request to the targeted computer to find its IP address and deliver the requested data.