Final answer:
The subnet mask for a host is used to divide a network into smaller subnetworks.
Step-by-step explanation:
The purpose of the subnet mask setting for a host is to divide a network into smaller subnetworks.
The subnet mask is a 32-bit value that separates the IP address into network and host portions. It determines which part of the IP address represents the network ID and which part represents the host ID. By using different subnet masks, a network can be divided into smaller subnets, allowing for better organization and management of network resources.
For example, if a network has the IP address 192.168.1.0 and uses a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0, it can be divided into 256 smaller subnets, with each subnet having a range of 254 possible host addresses.