HOSTS and LMHOSTS Files for Windows 98

This appendix describes how to modify HOSTS and LMHOSTS files to support address-to-name resolution in Microsoft Windows 98 networking.

• The HOSTS file is used as a local Domain Name System (DNS) equivalent to resolve host names to Internet Protocol (IP) addresses.
• The LMHOSTS file is used for name resolution when a Windows Internet Naming Service (WINS) server is not available to resolve NetBIOS computer names to IP addresses.

Each of these files is also known as a host table. Sample versions of LMHOSTS (called Lmhosts.sam) and HOSTS files are added to the \Windows directory when you install Windows 98 with Transport Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) support. These files can be edited using any ASCII editor, such as WordPad or Edit.

Important

To use the HOSTS file for name resolution, the Enable DNS option must be selected. To do this, use the DNS Configuration tab in TCP/IP properties in the Network option in Control Panel.

In This Appendix

Setting Up HOSTS Files

Setting Up LMHOSTS Files