Remember: the hosts file is the static equivalent of a DNS (Domain Name Server) and equates the IP address with the FQDN (Fully Qualified Domain Name), and/or the NetBIOS name, and/or any other chosen aliases, for IP commands and services such http, ftp, ping, nntp, etc. It is always recommend when using static IP addresses and no DNS server.
Like the lmhosts file, hosts is placed in the \windows folder for Windows for Workgroups 3.11, Windows 95/98 systems and placed in the \winnt\system32\drivers\etc folder for Windows NT systems. It must not have a file extension such as ".txt". It is named just plain "hosts". Place a copy on every system.
hosts example annotated
The local loopback address: "Here's looking at yourself kid".
192.168.12.1 myntdomsvr myntdomsvr.mydomname.dom
The IP address is equated to the NetBIOS name and an FQDN. The .dom extension is just an example that demonstrates our freedom of choice when the particular subnet is not directly connected to the Internet. We can now ping this machine using either the IP address (ping 192.168.12.1), the NetBIOS name (ping myntdomsvr), or the FQDN (ping myntdomsvr.mydomname.dom).
192.168.12.2 wrkstation1 wrkstation1.mydomname.dom
See above. The distinctions maintained in the lmhosts file for NT domain controllers are not applicable; nor are the lmhosts flags #PRE and #DOM valid.
192.168.12.3 wrkstation2 wrkstation2.mydomname.dom
192.168.12.4 wrkstation3 wrkstation3.mydomname.dom
Important! You don't see it here but be sure to hit "enter" after typing in the last entry as the file must terminate with a carriage return.
Last modified: January 16, 2002