File description
  /etc/hosts


  11..  PPuurrppoossee

  This screen allows you to set up an information table to provide the
  IP number, name and alias of different hosts.

  If you access another machine often, typing its IP number is an
  annoying and error prone process. Instead, you can set up a definition
  in the hosts file. After that, you will be able to access the machine
  by name.


  22..  //eettcc//hhoossttss uussaaggee

  The /etc/hosts file is the basic and simple way to name different
  machines on your network. Keep in mind that the definitions you enter
  here are local to this machine and won't be shared with any other
  machines on the network. This might mean potential problems, since two
  machines may have incompatible /etc/hosts files (because of an
  operator error, for example).


  33..  SSoommee eennttrriieess aarree nnoott sshhoowwnn

  _L_i_n_u_x_c_o_n_f omits some entries in the /etc/hosts file. The localhost
  entry is not shown and the entries which represent the various aliases
  of this computer are hidden also. So this menu really presents the
  "other" defined hosts.


  44..  SSuuggggeessttiioonn

  Using a DNS or NIS is generally better even for small networks.  By
  maintaining a single list of hosts on one machine, all the other
  machines in the network are known to each other.