It is assigning an ip to a specific host, it really is only needed if the switch is acting as the dhcp server.
Hi All   I came across Static Host Name Mapping on powerconnect 3048 switch and wondered what it can be used for, is it like a hosts file on a server?  Or does it have another use?  If I have DNS do I really need this? Enlightenment please    Thanks Eric  
What it the purpose of Static Host Name Mapping on powerconnect switches