Everything You Need to Know About Windows Server 2016 Hosts File

Hello Dev, are you a Windows Server 2016 user? Today, we’re going to talk about one of the most important files in Windows Server 2016: the hosts file. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the hosts file and how to use it to manage your network connections with ease.

What is the Hosts File?

The hosts file is a simple text file that maps IP addresses to domain names. It’s used by the operating system to resolve domain names to IP addresses when no DNS server is available. This means that if you type in a domain name in your web browser, the hosts file will be the first place that the operating system will check to see if it knows the IP address for that domain name.

Here’s an example of what the hosts file looks like:

IP Address	Domain Name
127.0.0.1	localhost
192.168.1.1	router

In this example, we have two entries in the hosts file. The first entry maps the IP address 127.0.0.1 to the domain name “localhost”. The second entry maps the IP address 192.168.1.1 to the domain name “router”.

Why Use the Hosts File?

There are several reasons why you might want to use the hosts file:

• To block access to certain websites.
• To redirect traffic from one domain name to another.
• To test website changes before they go live.
• To improve network performance by bypassing DNS.

By using the hosts file, you can control how your computer resolves domain names to IP addresses. This can be especially useful if you need to access a website that has been blocked by your network administrator or if you want to test changes to a website without making them live.

How to Edit the Hosts File

Editing the hosts file is a simple process. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open Notepad as an administrator.
2. Click File > Open and navigate to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc.
3. Click the dropdown menu that says “Text Documents (*.txt)” and select “All Files (*.*)”.
4. Select the hosts file and click Open.
5. Add your new entries to the file.
6. Save the file.

It’s important to note that when you edit the hosts file, you need to be careful not to delete any existing entries. If you do, you may break your network connection. Also, make sure to save the file as a plain text file and not as a rich text file.

FAQ

Q: Can I use the hosts file to block ads?

A: Yes, you can use the hosts file to block ads. There are several websites that provide lists of ad servers that you can add to your hosts file. This will prevent your computer from connecting to those ad servers and will block the ads from appearing on your screen.

Q: Can I use the hosts file to access websites that have been blocked by my network administrator?

A: Yes, you can use the hosts file to access websites that have been blocked by your network administrator. You’ll need to find the IP address for the website you want to access and add it to your hosts file. This will bypass the DNS server and allow you to access the website directly.

Q: Can I use the hosts file to redirect traffic from one domain name to another?

A: Yes, you can use the hosts file to redirect traffic from one domain name to another. Simply add the IP address of the domain name you want to redirect to the hosts file entry for the domain name you want to redirect from.

Q: How do I know if the hosts file is working?

A: To test if the hosts file is working, try accessing a website that you’ve blocked or redirected in the hosts file. If you can’t access the website, the hosts file is working as expected.

Q: Can I use the hosts file to improve network performance?

A: Yes, you can use the hosts file to improve network performance by bypassing DNS. Simply add the IP address and domain name of the website you want to access to the hosts file. This will allow your computer to access the website directly without having to go through the DNS server.

Conclusion

The hosts file is a powerful tool that can be used to manage your network connections with ease. By adding entries to the hosts file, you can control how your computer resolves domain names to IP addresses. Whether you’re blocking ads, redirecting traffic, testing website changes, or improving network performance, the hosts file is a valuable resource for Windows Server 2016 users.