Troubleshooting TCP/IP Database Files

The following UNIX-style database files are stored in the \systemroot\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC when you install Microsoft TCP/IP:

Table 19.2 UNIX-style Database Files

Filename	Use
HOSTS	Provides hostname-to-IP address resolution for Windows Sockets applications
LMHOSTS	Provides NetBIOS name-to-IP address resolution for Windows-based networking
NETWORKS	Provides network name-to-network ID resolution for TCP/IP management
PROTOCOLS	Provides protocol name-to-protocol ID resolution for Windows Sockets applications
SERVICES	Provides service name-to-port ID resolution for Windows Sockets applications

To troubleshoot any of these files on a local computer:

Make sure the format of entries in each file matches the format defined in the sample file originally installed with Microsoft TCP/IP.
Check for spelling or capitalization errors.
Check for invalid IP addresses and identifiers.