Host File Windows Server 2016 – The Ultimate Guide for Devs

Welcome, Devs! As a developer, you know the importance of having a fast and reliable network connection. You might have experienced the frustration of waiting for slow websites or applications to load. Did you know that you can improve network performance by modifying the host file on your Windows Server 2016? In this article, we’ll explore the host file and how you can use it to enhance your network performance. Let’s get started!

What is the Host File?

The host file is a plain text file that maps hostnames to IP addresses. It acts as a local DNS resolver, allowing your computer to resolve domain names to IP addresses without querying a DNS server. By default, Windows loads the host file before querying DNS servers, which can improve network performance by reducing DNS resolution times.

The host file is located in the %SystemRoot%\system32\drivers\etc\ directory. It is a simple text file that can be edited using any text editor, such as Notepad or WordPad.

Why Modify the Host File?

There are several reasons why you might want to modify the host file on your Windows Server 2016:

• Redirect domains to local IP addresses for testing purposes
• Block access to certain websites by redirecting them to a blackhole address
• Improve network performance by avoiding DNS resolution delays

How to Modify the Host File?

Modifying the host file on your Windows Server 2016 is a straightforward process:

1. Open Notepad or any text editor as an administrator
2. Click File > Open and navigate to %SystemRoot%\system32\drivers\etc\
3. Select the hosts file and click Open
4. Add your entries in the format of “IP address hostname” (e.g. 192.168.0.1 example.com)
5. Save the hosts file and close the text editor

It’s important to note that you must save the hosts file without any file extensions, such as .txt. Windows will automatically recognize it as the hosts file.

Example:

IP Address	Hostname
192.168.0.1	example.com
192.168.0.2	test.com

FAQs

Q1. What happens if I make a mistake in the hosts file?

If you make a mistake in the hosts file, it can cause network connectivity issues. If you’re unsure about the changes you’re making, it’s best to create a backup of the original hosts file before making any modifications.

Q2. Can I use wildcards in the hosts file?

No, the hosts file doesn’t support wildcards. You must specify a specific hostname and IP address mapping.

Q3. Can I use the hosts file to block access to websites?

Yes, you can redirect websites to a blackhole address (e.g. 127.0.0.1) to block access to them. However, this method can be easily bypassed by savvy users. A more effective method is to use a firewall or web filtering software.

Q4. How can I check if my changes to the hosts file are working?

You can open a command prompt and use the ping command to test if the hostname resolves to the correct IP address. For example, if you added an entry for example.com, you can run “ping example.com” and check if it resolves to the IP address you specified in the hosts file.

Q5. Can I use the hosts file to improve network performance?

Yes, by adding commonly accessed websites to the hosts file, you can avoid the DNS resolution delay and improve network performance. However, this method is limited to a small number of commonly accessed websites and may not provide significant performance gains.

Conclusion

The host file is a powerful tool that can improve network performance and enable local testing. With the right modifications, you can redirect domains to local IP addresses, block access to websites, and avoid DNS resolution delays. Remember to make a backup of the original hosts file before making any changes and test your modifications to ensure they work correctly.

Thanks for reading, Devs. We hope this article has been helpful in understanding the host file on Windows Server 2016. If you have any questions or suggestions, please leave a comment below!