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Computer address resolutions Appendix B
Introduction............................................................................ 206
Using a Hosts file .................................................................... 207
Using DNS............................................................................... 210
Using WINS............................................................................. 211
Using DHCP............................................................................. 212
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Introduction
In a networked environment, your connected computers must be able to distinguish
between each other to communicate. There are several methods that networked
computers can use to keep track of their respective computer names, IP addresses, and so
on. This appendix explains some of those methods.
Whether youre setting up a network or adding computers to an existing network, you
should consult with your network administrator before using or modifying any computer
settings to use any of these methods to resolve addresses. If your library is already
networked, it may already use one of these methods.
The following explanations are offered as introductory information onlyand are not
intended to be used as the sole source of information for making decisions about or
changes to your network.
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Using a Hosts file
Many smaller systems of networked computers use Hosts files to keep track of the IP
addresses of the computers.
The Hosts file is a static text file that contains the matched IP addresses and machine
names (Host names). If you use a Hosts file, every computer (server and clients) on your
network should have the same file. This file should contain all of the machine names and
IP addresses of each computer on the network.
Where to find the Hosts file
The location of the Hosts file varies by platform. See below for the system default
location of the file on your operating system(s). On Windows, you can always use your
operating systems Find feature to locate the Hosts file.
Platform Default location of Hosts file
Windows 95/98
\Windows\System\Hosts
Windows NT/2000
Winnt or WNT\System32\drivers\etc\Hosts
Macintosh
System folder
To use the Find feature to search for your hosts file (Windows)
1 Click the Start button and select Find > Files or Folders. The
Find: All Files window opens.
2 In the Name and Location tab, enter host* in the Named box.
3 Select Local hard drives from the Look in box.
4 Click Find Now.
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Setting up the Hosts file
Many computers have a sample Hosts file (HOSTS.SAM) that must be renamed HOSTS
(without an extension) to be used by the Spectrum Server. You must then check that the
file contains the correct machine names and IP addresses. A Windows Hosts file places
the IP address to the left of the machine name. A Macintosh Hosts file places the IP
address to the right of the machine name.
You can edit the Hosts file with any text editor. However, in Windows you may want to
use the Edit command at the DOS prompt to edit your Hosts file in Windows so that no
extension is added to the file name. NotePad saves files as text files with the .txt
extension by default. For the Hosts file to be used, it cant have an extension.
The last line of the file should contain the IP address and name of the server computer.
For your information, you can add comments behind the machine name (comments must
be preceded by # in Windows and by a semicolon (;) on a Macintosh).
The Hosts file must be properly set up for Spectrum CIRC/CAT client/server software to
run properly. If you already have TCP/IP installed on your computer, you can check your
network settings for the proper IP address (see Appendix A: Network Protocols). If you
have further questions, contact your network technician.
Example of a Hosts file (Windows)
IP Address Machine name Comments
127.0.0.1 clifford
192.0.0.25 rita
192.0.0.28 winRog #Spectrum Server
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Example of a Hosts file (Macintosh)
Machine name IP Address Comments
WINSERVER C 207.242.45.200
ROBWP C 207.242.45.201 ;Spectrum Server
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Using DNS
By using DNS (Domain Name Service), you do not need to have a Hosts file because
Hosts names are resolved at the location of the DNS.
DNS is a hierarchical naming system that identifies computers on a network. DNS uses a
combination of text names separated by periods to create a unique name. The technical
administrator of the DNS maintains a database of IP addresses and Host names.
You must enable DNS on your clients and set up DNS on your server. Incorrect DNS
settings are one of the leading causes of connection problems during setup.
Note: The directions below describe how to enable and configure your DNS on Windows
95/98. When enabling and configuring your DNS on Windows NT/2000,
additional/modified steps may be required.
To enable and configure your DNS on Windows 95/98 clients
1 Click Start and select Settings > Control Panel. The Control
Panel window opens.
2 Double-click the Network icon. The Network window opens.
3 Click TCP/IP from the list of installed network components.
4 Click the DNS Configuration tab in the TCP/IP Properties
window.
5 Select the Enable DNS option.
6 Enter your user name in the Host box.
7 Enter the name of your provider in the Domain box (for
example, MSN.COM).
8 Enter the appropriate values for each Search Order option.
9 Click OK to close the TCP/IP Properties window.
10 Click OK to close the Network window.
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Using WINS
WINS (Windows Internet Naming Service) configuration is another way of tying the IP
address to the server name of the computer. WINS accomplishes this by linking the
NetBIOS name and the IP address.
Enabling WINS resolution on Windows clients
To use WINS configuration to assign your IP addresses, you must enable WINS for your
TCP/IP protocol. You do this on your client computer(s).
Note: The directions below describe how to enable WINS resolution on Windows 95/98.
When enabling WINS resolution on Windows NT/2000, additional/modified steps may
be required.
To enable WINS resolution on Windows 95/98
1 Click Start and select Settings > Control Panel. The Control
Panel window opens.
2 Double-click the Network icon. The Network window opens.
3 Click the Configuration tab, if necessary.
4 Select TCP/IP.
5 Click the Properties button.
6 Click the WINS Configuration tab.
7 Select Enable WINS Resolution.
8 Enter the primary WINS Server IP address.
9 Click OK to close the TCP/IP Properties window
10 Click OK to close the Network window.
To use WINS, you also need to set up WINS on your server. Contact your network
technician for more information on setting up WINS on your network.
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Using DHCP
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) distributes IP addresses. To use DHCP,
you must install the DHCP manager on your Windows NT/2000 server. The advantages
of using DHCP include the abilities to lease IP address numbers and to administer your
IP addresses from one central location.
You can also set up DHCP to work with other services (DNS, WINS) in order to keep
track of machine names (host names) so that you are not limited to only IP address
numbers. This is important if you want to use machine names instead of being restricted
to using IP address numbers.
You may not always be able to tell from your client computers network setup if you are
using DHCP to assign your IP addresses. You can use the Winipcfg utility to determine if
you are using DHCP. At the MS-DOS prompt, enter winipcfg.
See your network technician for more information on setting up and using DHCP.