XP Hosts File

C:/PATH TO WINDOWS/system32/drivers/etc/hosts

I use my hosts file in conjunction with my local network (to give names to my different computers without use of a DNS Server) as well as my XAMP installation (to run different development websites locally).

The host file lets you bind an IP address to a specific name. Usually your browser will check the hosts file first before contacting your DNS Server for the IP address.

The format is simple, IP – tab – Space separated list of host names.

Eg: 192.168.1.4 bender.home

Each new IP should start on a separate line.

Just a note: I only run XP for now, so I’ve no idea where this file is located in Vista or Windows 7. If you know, give me a bell