Hosts File Diagnostics

The HOSTS file is a method of bypassing Domain Naming Services (DNS) for host lookups.  It is often used to identify local network computers or to redirect/fake the address of another computer.  The HOSTS file is always located in C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc regardless of whether the operating system is 32bit or 64bit.  A standard sample is always included to show the format of the file.  When a school is using the Scomis External Connector, the Hosts file is amended by an “AutoUpdate” application with relevant details of the Scomis internal IP addresses which are needed to allow SIMS to function correctly.

The Hosts file can be edited with any text editor, but will require elevated permissions, since the file is protected by UAC.

Example Hosts file

# Copyright (c) 1993-2009 Microsoft Corp.
#
# This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows.
# This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each
# entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should
# be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name.
# The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one
# space.
# Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual
# lines or following the machine name denoted by a '#' symbol.
# For example:
# 102.54.94.97 rhino.acme.com # source server
# 38.25.63.10 x.acme.com # x client host

# localhost name resolution is handled within DNS itself.
# 127.0.0.1 localhost
# ::1 localhost

# Scomis Hosts Files Additions (SIMSNET) added 2014-10-07 10:06
10.100.99.01 SIMSDB01
10.100.99.02 SIMSDB02
10.100.99.03 SIMSDB03

Reviewed on 02/03/2018