Everything You Need to Know about Server 2012 Hosts File

Hello Dev! If you’re looking to enhance your knowledge about Server 2012 hosts file, you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll be going through everything you need to know about the hosts file, starting from the basics and gradually progressing towards the advanced concepts. So, let’s dive in!

What is a Hosts File?

A hosts file is a file on your computer that maps hostnames to IP addresses. Whenever you type a web address into your browser, it uses the domain name system (DNS) to translate the domain name into an IP address that your computer can understand. However, sometimes you may need to override these DNS results and provide your computer with a specific IP address for a particular domain name. This is where the hosts file comes in.

Understanding DNS

The domain name system (DNS) is like an address book for the internet. It associates domain names with IP addresses so that computers can find each other on the network. When you enter a domain name in your browser, it sends a request to a DNS server to look up the IP address associated with that domain name. Once the IP address is found, your computer can connect to the web server and load the website.

However, sometimes you may want to override these DNS results and use a different IP address for a particular domain. For example, you may want to test a website on a different server or block access to a particular website. This is where the hosts file comes in handy.

What does the Hosts File Do?

The hosts file allows you to manually associate IP addresses with domain names. When a browser tries to connect to a domain name, it first checks the hosts file on your computer to see if there is a specified IP address for that domain name. If there is, it connects to that IP address instead of searching for one via DNS.

The hosts file can be used for a variety of purposes, such as:

• Blocking access to specific websites
• Testing websites on different servers
• Specifying a custom IP address for a domain name

How to Edit the Hosts File in Server 2012

Editing the hosts file in Server 2012 is a straightforward process. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Open Notepad as Administrator

To edit the hosts file, you need to open Notepad as administrator. To do this, right-click on the Notepad icon and select “Run as administrator.”

Step 2: Open the Hosts File

In Notepad, select “File > Open” and navigate to “C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc.” Change the file type to “All Files” and open the “hosts” file.

Step 3: Edit the Hosts File

Once the hosts file is open, you can add or modify entries as needed. Each entry should be in the following format:

IP_ADDRESS HOSTNAME

For example, to add an entry for Google, you would add the following line:

172.217.6.142 google.com

Step 4: Save the Hosts File

After making changes to the hosts file, be sure to save it before closing Notepad. When saving the file, make sure to select “All Files” as the file type and overwrite the existing “hosts” file.

Advanced Uses for the Hosts File

While the hosts file is typically used to manually associate domain names with IP addresses, it can also be used for more advanced purposes such as:

1. Blocking Websites

You can use the hosts file to block access to specific websites. To do this, simply add an entry for the website’s domain name and assign it an IP address of 127.0.0.1. This will redirect any requests to that domain to your local computer, effectively blocking access.

2. Reducing DNS Lookups

By adding commonly used domain names to the hosts file, you can reduce the number of DNS lookups required by your computer. This can help speed up web browsing and other network tasks.

3. Creating Virtual Hosts

If you’re a web developer, you can use the hosts file to create virtual hosts on your local machine. This allows you to test multiple websites on the same computer without having to set up a separate server for each one.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

If you make a mistake in the hosts file, it could cause problems with your computer’s ability to access the internet. To avoid this, make sure to back up the hosts file before making any changes and double-check your entries before saving the file.

Can I use the hosts file on other operating systems?

Yes, the hosts file is available on most operating systems, including Windows, MacOS, and Linux.

Is it safe to block websites using the hosts file?

Blocking websites using the hosts file is generally safe, but it’s important to remember that it only affects the computer on which it is set up. If you want to block websites for an entire network, you will need to use a different solution.

Conclusion

Server 2012 hosts file is a simple yet powerful tool that can be used to manually map domain names to IP addresses. Whether you’re a web developer or just looking to block access to specific websites, the hosts file can help you achieve your goals. By following the steps outlined in this article, you should be able to edit the hosts file on your Server 2012 machine with ease. Happy editing!