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Accepted
Brian Lyttle
Asked: 2009-05-04 10:51:23 +0800 CST

How do I setup a HOSTS file on different operating systems?

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Please provide examples of how this can be setup on client and server versions of various operating systems.

domain-name-system networking hosts multi-platform

2 Answers

  1. Best Answer

    Hosts file on Linux/Unix:

    /etc/hosts

ip.nu.mb.er   name1 name2

    Hosts file on Windows:

    %WINDOWS%\System32\Drivers\etc\hosts (e.g. C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc\hosts)

ip.nu.mb.er   name1 name2
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  2. Assuming you're asking how to find the file (it will most likely exist already):

    • In a Unix-like operating system (including Mac OS X and Linux), you'll typically find the hosts file in /etc/hosts. Note that Mac OS X does not by default show you the etc directory. You can show it in various ways, such as by choosing Go → Go to Folder… in Finder, and typing /etc.
    • In an NT-based operating system (including Windows XP and Windows Vista), the etc directory is slightly hidden, in %WINDIR%\system32\drivers\, e.g. C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc\hosts.
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