Configure LMHOSTS File

Select Certification Bootcamp :
MCSE MCSE+Security CCNA CCNP RHCE Register Course Fees Home

Leading MCSE, CCNA, CCNP Certification boot camp training provider in India, USA, UK.

Configure LMHOSTS File

Whereas the HOSTS file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names, the LMHOSTS file contains the mappings of IP addresses to Windows NT computer names. When speaking of Windows NT computer names, the inference is to NetBIOS names, or the names that would be used in conjunction with NET USE statements.

An example of the default version of this file follows:

# Copyright (c) 1993-1995 Microsoft Corp.
#
# This is a sample LMHOSTS file used by the Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows NT.
#
# This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to NT computer names # (NetBIOS) names. Each entry should be kept on an individual line.
# The IP address should be placed in the first column followed by the # corresponding computername. The address and the comptername
# should be separated by at least one space or tab. The "#" character # is generally used to denote the start of a comment (see the exceptions below).
#
# This file is compatible with Microsoft LAN Manager 2.x TCP/IP lmhosts # files and offers the following extensions:
#
# #PRE
# #DOM:<domain>
# #INCLUDE <filename>
# #BEGIN_ALTERNATE
# #END_ALTERNATE
# \0xnn (non-printing character support)
#
# Following any entry in the file with the characters "#PRE" will cause # the entry to be preloaded into the name cache. By default, entries are # not preloaded, but are parsed only after dynamic name resolution fails.
#
# Following an entry with the "#DOM:<domain>" tag will associate the # entry with the domain specified by <domain>. This affects how the # browser and logon services behave in TCP/IP environments. To preload # the host name associated with #DOM entry, it is necessary to also add a #PRE to the line. The <domain> is always preloaded although it will not be shown when the name cache is viewed.
#
# Specifying "#INCLUDE <filename>" will force the RFC NetBIOS (NBT) # software to seek the specified <filename> and parse it as if it were local. <filename> is generally a UNC-based name, allowing a # centralized lmhosts file to be maintained on a server.
# It is ALWAYS necessary to provide a mapping for the IP address of the # server prior to the #INCLUDE. This mapping must use the #PRE directive.
# In addition the share "public" in the example below must be in the # LanManServer list of "NullSessionShares" in order for client machines to # be able to read the lmhosts file successfully. This key is under # \machine\system\currentcontrolset\services\ lanmanserver\ parameters\nullsessionshares # in the registry. Simply add "public" to the list found there.
#
# The #BEGIN_ and #END_ALTERNATE keywords allow multiple #INCLUDE
# statements to be grouped together. Any single successful include will cause the group to succeed.
#
# Finally, non-printing characters can be embedded in mappings by
# first surrounding the NetBIOS name in quotations, then using the \0xnn notation to specify a hex value for a non-printing character.
#
# The following example illustrates all of these extensions:
#
# 102.54.94.97 rhino #PRE #DOM:networking #net group's DC
# 102.54.94.102 "appname \0x14" #special app server
# 102.54.94.123 popular #PRE #source server
# 102.54.94.117 localsrv #PRE #needed for the include
#
# #BEGIN_ALTERNATE
# #INCLUDE \\localsrv\public\lmhosts
# #INCLUDE \\rhino\public\lmhosts
# #END_ALTERNATE
#
# In the above example, the "appname" server contains a special
# character in its name, the "popular" and "localsrv" server names are preloaded, and the "rhino" server name is specified so it can be used to later #INCLUDE a centrally maintained lmhosts file if the "localsrv" system is unavailable.
#
# Note that the whole file is parsed including comments on each lookup, so keeping the number of comments to a minimum will improve performance.
# Therefore it is not advisable to simply add lmhosts file entries onto the end of this file.

Once more, the pound sign (#) indicates comments, and the file is read sequentially on each lookup, so limiting the size of the comment lines at the beginning of the file is highly recommended.

You can use a number of special commands in the file to load entries into a name cache that is scanned on each lookup prior to referencing the file. (By default, entries are not preloaded, but are parsed only after dynamic name resolution fails). Using these commands decreases your lookup time and increases system efficiency.

Further Information

Other Files to Be Aware Of

Vibrant Advantage :

No Prestudy
Longest Duration Camp
Chalk Talk Training
Highest Passing Rate
Bootcamp since 1999
Guaranteed Certification ...

Testimonials :

MCSE Certification boot camp

The instructor taught real world experience and did not just teach us to pass the test. He knew the subject well and was encouraging. His lectures were very well delivered....

Colver Dennis, USA