End system

In networking jargon, a computer, phone, or <a href="/facts/Internet_of_things/rwwGAxn3">internet of things</a> device connected to a <a href="/facts/Computer_network/3w5RM99p">computer network</a> is sometimes referred to as an end system or end station, because it sits at the edge of the network. The <a href="/facts/End_user/7IM9qu7N">end user</a> directly interacts with an end system that provides information or services.[unreliable source?]
End systems that are connected to the Internet are also referred to as <a href="/facts/Internet_host/HPNcFXHk">internet hosts</a>; this is because they host (run) <a href="/facts/Rich_web_application/en12v9La">internet applications</a> such as a <a href="/facts/Web_browser/2pfyymLs">web browser</a> or an email retrieval program. The Internet's end systems include some computers with which the end user does not directly interact. These include <a href="/facts/Mail_server/9SJG5sbb">mail servers</a>, <a href="/facts/Web_server/A4GS6thA">web servers</a>, or <a href="/facts/Database_server/PYG7xdqq">database servers</a>. With the emergence of the <a href="/facts/Internet_of_things/rwwGAxn3">internet of things</a>, household items (such as <a href="/facts/Toasters/F3dEReUI">toasters</a> and <a href="/facts/Refrigerators/TGb5ozLY">refrigerators</a>) as well as portable, handheld <a href="/facts/Computers/SQe1aK05">computers</a> and <a href="/facts/Digital_cameras/LSGTserm">digital cameras</a> are all being connected to the internet as end systems.
End systems are generally connected to each other using switching devices known as <a href="/facts/Router_(computing)/Nh5cIyVf">routers</a> rather than using a single communication link. The path that transmitted information takes from the sending end system, through a series of communications links and routers, to the receiving end system is known as a route or path through the network. The sending and receiving route can be different, and can be reallocated during transmission due to changes in the <a href="/facts/Network_topology/rBYE0kke">network topology</a>. Normally the cheapest or fastest route is chosen. For the end user the actual routing should be completely transparent.

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End system