TITLE
    MacTCP: Syntax of Hosts File (4/96)
Article ID:
Created:
Modified: 		9788
2/25/92
4/20/96
TOPIC



    I have a question about the Host file for MacTCP used in the remote commands to edit/create in MacX. With the Host... button I can select the connection method and the host. The MacX documentation specifies that the Host List will contain the names in the Hosts file of the System Folder.



    How is the Host file created and what is the format? I haven't been able to get any names to appear in this list, so I use the network dot address for testing. I've tried creating a Host file like the /etc/hosts file on A/UX with TeachText (format <dot address> <host name>), but with no success.

DISCUSSION



    NOTE: The syntax for a Hosts file under Open Transport TCP/IP is different. See Technical Information Library article, "Open Transport 1.1/TCP Supports HOSTS File", for Open Transport.



    The syntax of the Hosts file used with MacTCP conforms to the master file syntax specified in RFC (Request For Comment) 1035. Here is the syntax:



    name type data [;comment]





    name = the name assigned to a host or domain on the internet.



    type = the type is one of the three below:



    - "A" for address

    - "NS" for Name Server

    - "CNAME" for Canonical name



    data = determined by the type specified



    comment = this is optional and begins with a semicolon (;)



    The syntax of /etc/hosts file in A/UX is not compatible with the syntax of RFC 1035.



    You can use a sample Hosts file which is included in the MacTCP software distribution to edit/add/delete entries and create a new Hosts file for your network.



    Here are sample entries in a Hosts file:



    roland1 A 130.252.11.27 ; Mike Berg

    bruce A 130.252.11.30 ;

    windx A 130.252.11.31 ; Rudy Martin

    rizzi A 130.252.11.32 ; John Rizzi

    scoodt A 130.252.11.33 ; Rudy Martin

    renee1 A 130.252.11.34 ; Renee Gibson

    paul A 130.252.11.35 ;

    wendy A 130.252.11.36 ;

    frank A 130.252.11.37 ;

    setlab A 130.252.11.38 ; Craig Adams

    dick A 130.252.11.39 ; Dick Mahoney

    xshare A 130.252.11.40 ; Rudy Martin

    rudy A 130.252.11.41 ; Rudy Martin

    eagle A 130.252.11.42 ;



    NOTE: You have to restart your computer after making changes to the Hosts file. The file should be named "Hosts" and should be in the system folder, not in any other folder.



    For more information on the syntax of MacTCP Hosts file, refer to Appendix A, Name-to-Address Mapping, in the "MacTCP Administrator's Guide."





    Article Change History:

    20 Apr 1996 - Added Open Transport information.

    17 Apr 1995 - Added NOTE section at bottom.

    05 Jan 1993 - Reviewed for technical accuracy.








Document Information
Product Area: Communications-Networking
Category: MacTCP
Sub Category: General Topics

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