Server 2016 Hosts File: A Comprehensive Guide for Devs

Greetings, Devs! As a developer, you understand how crucial it is to have a stable and secure network environment. One of the essential components that play a critical role in network configuration is a Hosts File. In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about Server 2016 Hosts File. From basic concepts to advanced configurations, we have got you covered. So, let’s dive in!

What is a Hosts File?

A Hosts File is a plain text file that is used to map domain names to IP addresses. Whenever a user tries to access a website, the computer first checks the Hosts File for the IP address of that domain. If the IP address is found in the Hosts File, the request is redirected to that IP address. Otherwise, it goes to the DNS server to resolve the IP address of that domain.

The Hosts File is an essential component of the networking environment that helps in various activities. Some common scenarios where Hosts File is required are:

Scenario	Purpose
Testing	Redirect website requests to a test server
Blocking	Block access to specific websites
Local Development	Map domain names to local IP addresses for development purposes

Now that we have a basic understanding of what a Hosts File is and why it is essential, let’s move on to setting up a Hosts File in Server 2016.

Setting up Hosts File in Server 2016

The Hosts File is located in the C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc directory. By default, the file is named “hosts” and has no file extension. To access the file, you need administrative privileges on your computer.

Step 1: Backup the Hosts File

Before making any changes to the Hosts File, it is essential to back up the file. In case anything goes wrong, you can revert to the previous version of the file. To backup the Hosts File:

1. Open Windows Explorer and navigate to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc directory
2. Right-click on the Hosts File and select “Copy”
3. Create a new folder in your desired location and name it “Hosts File Backup”
4. Open the folder and right-click on it and select “Paste”

Step 2: Edit the Hosts File

Once you have backed up the Hosts File, you can edit the file to add or modify entries. To edit the Hosts File:

1. Open Notepad as an administrator
2. Click on “File” and select “Open”
3. Go to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc directory
4. Change the file type to “All Files (*.*)”
5. Select the Hosts File and click “Open”

Now that you have opened the Hosts File, you can add or modify entries as per your requirements. Let’s take a look at some common scenarios and how to configure the Hosts File.

Configuring Hosts File for Common Scenarios

Scenario 1: Testing

When you are testing a website, it is essential to test it on a test server rather than the production server. To redirect website requests to a test server, follow these steps:

1. Open the Hosts File (as explained in Step 2 above)
2. Add the IP address of the test server followed by the domain name
3. Save the Hosts File and exit

For example:

192.168.0.100test.example.com

Now, when you try to access test.example.com, the request is redirected to the IP address 192.168.0.100.

Scenario 2: Blocking

Blocking access to specific websites can be useful in various scenarios, such as parental control, restricting access to social media, etc. To block access to specific websites:

1. Open the Hosts File (as explained in Step 2 above)
2. Add the IP address 127.0.0.1 followed by the domain name
3. Save the Hosts File and exit

For example:

127.0.0.1facebook.com

Now, when you try to access facebook.com, the request is redirected to the IP address 127.0.0.1, which is the local machine.

Scenario 3: Local Development

When you are developing a website, you often need to access it locally for testing and debugging purposes. To map domain names to local IP addresses:

1. Open the Hosts File (as explained in Step 2 above)
2. Add the IP address of your local machine followed by the domain name
3. Save the Hosts File and exit

For example:

192.168.0.101mywebsite.com

Now, when you try to access mywebsite.com, the request is redirected to the IP address 192.168.0.101, which is your local machine.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I edit the Hosts File without administrative privileges?

No, you need administrative privileges to edit the Hosts File.

2. Can I add comments to the Hosts File?

Yes, you can add comments to the Hosts File by prefixing the comment with a “#” symbol.

3. How do I revert to the previous version of the Hosts File?

To revert to the previous version of the Hosts File, simply replace the modified file with the backup file that you created.

4. Can I use wildcards in the Hosts File?

No, you cannot use wildcards in the Hosts File.

5. How do I troubleshoot Hosts File issues?

If you are experiencing issues with the Hosts File, you can try the following troubleshooting steps:

• Ensure that the Hosts File is correctly formatted
• Ensure that there are no duplicate entries
• Ensure that the IP address and domain name are correct
• Check if the DNS server is working correctly

Conclusion

That’s it, Devs! We hope this article has provided you with a comprehensive guide to Server 2016 Hosts File. Remember, Hosts File is a crucial component of a stable and secure network environment, and it can help you in various scenarios such as testing, blocking, and local development. If you have any questions or feedback, please let us know in the comments section below.