What is the functionality of host files in a computer network?

Host files serve the critical role of mapping host names to IP addresses within a computer network. This functionality is essential because it allows users to access resources using human-readable names instead of having to remember complex numerical IP addresses. When a user types a URL or a hostname into their web browser, the operating system checks the host file to see if there is a corresponding IP address. If a match is found, the system connects to that IP address, facilitating communication over the network.

This is particularly useful in smaller networks or for manually overriding DNS settings for specific applications, as it can streamline access and improve response times without needing to query external DNS servers for every request. The host file can also be utilized for testing new websites or applications before DNS changes propagate.

The other functions such as storing user passwords, logging network activities, or providing antivirus services do not relate directly to the role of host files, which is exclusively focused on name resolution in the context of networking.