Hosts File Windows Server 2016: A Complete Guide for Dev

Welcome, Dev! In this article, we will take a deep dive into the hosts file in Windows Server 2016. Hosts file is a plain text file that maps hostnames to IP addresses on a network. It can be used to control the access of the network traffic and block malicious websites. We will explore how to create, edit, and manage the hosts file in Windows Server 2016. Let’s get started!

Understanding Hosts File in Windows Server 2016

Before we dive into the technical details of hosts file in Windows Server 2016, let’s first understand what it is and why it is important. The hosts file is a local file that is used to map domain names to IP addresses. Whenever you access a website on the internet, your computer needs to locate the IP address of that website. The hosts file helps your computer to do this by providing a list of IP addresses and domain names that it can access.

The hosts file is located in the system folder of your Windows Server 2016 installation. By default, the path of the hosts file is C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts. This file is used by various applications and processes that require network connectivity, such as web browsers, email clients, and FTP clients. Now, let’s dive into some common use cases of hosts file.

Common Use Cases of Hosts File

The hosts file has several use cases that can be helpful for Dev. Let’s have a look at them:

Now that we have a basic understanding of the hosts file and its uses, let’s move on to how to create and edit the hosts file in Windows Server 2016.

Creating and Editing Hosts File in Windows Server 2016

Creating and editing the hosts file in Windows Server 2016 is a straightforward process. However, it requires administrative privileges. Let’s go through the steps:

Step 1: Open Notepad as Administrator

To open Notepad as an administrator, follow these steps:

1. Click on the Windows icon in the lower-left corner of the screen.
2. Type ‘notepad’ into the search box.
3. Right-click on Notepad in the search results and select ‘Run as administrator’.

Step 2: Open the Hosts File in Notepad

To open the hosts file in Notepad, follow these steps:

1. In Notepad, click on ‘File’ and select ‘Open’.
2. Navigate to the folder where the hosts file is located (C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc).
3. Change the ‘Text Documents (*.txt)’ dropdown to ‘All Files’.
4. Select the hosts file and click on ‘Open’.

Step 3: Add or Edit Entries in the Hosts File

To add or edit entries in the hosts file, follow these steps:

1. Add a new line for each entry in the following format: IP Address Hostname. For example, ‘192.168.1.1 www.example.com’.
2. Save the hosts file.

That’s it! You have successfully created and edited the hosts file in Windows Server 2016. However, there are some best practices that you should follow while editing the hosts file.

Best Practices for Editing Hosts File in Windows Server 2016

Editing the hosts file can have some unintended consequences if not done correctly. Here are some best practices that you should follow while editing the hosts file:

Backup the Hosts File

Before editing the hosts file, it is always recommended to take a backup of the current hosts file. This can save you a lot of time and effort in case something goes wrong.

Make Sure the Syntax is Correct

The syntax of the hosts file is critical. If you make a mistake in the syntax, it can cause network connectivity issues. It is always best to double-check the syntax before saving the file.

Use Comments to Document Changes

Using comments to document changes in the hosts file can be helpful in the future. If you need to revert to an earlier version of the hosts file, comments can help you identify the changes that were made.

Test Changes Before Saving

Before saving the hosts file, it is always best to test the changes. This can be done by opening a command prompt and pinging the hostname that was added to the hosts file. If the ping is successful, then the changes can be saved.

Now that we have covered some best practices, let’s move on to some frequently asked questions about hosts file in Windows Server 2016.

FAQs About Hosts File in Windows Server 2016

Q1. Can I edit the hosts file without administrative privileges?

A1. Editing the hosts file requires administrative privileges. If you try to edit the hosts file without administrative privileges, you will receive an ‘Access Denied’ error.

Q2. Do I need to restart the computer after editing the hosts file?

A2. No, you do not need to restart the computer after editing the hosts file. However, you may need to flush the DNS cache to see the changes take effect.

Q3. What is the maximum size of the hosts file?

A3. There is no maximum size of the hosts file. However, a large hosts file can cause performance issues on the computer.

Q4. Can I use wildcards in the hosts file?

A4. No, you cannot use wildcards in the hosts file. Each entry in the hosts file must be a specific IP address and hostname.

Q5. How can I remove an entry from the hosts file?

A5. To remove an entry from the hosts file, simply delete the line that contains the entry and save the file.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the hosts file in Windows Server 2016 is a powerful tool that can be used to map domain names to IP addresses. It has several use cases that can be helpful for Dev. However, editing the hosts file requires administrative privileges and should be done with caution. By following the best practices and frequently asked questions that we covered in this article, you can confidently edit the hosts file in Windows Server 2016. Happy coding!