hoststxt

Hosts.txt is a plain text file used by operating systems to map hostnames to IP addresses. It is typically found in the system's etc directory, such as /etc/hosts on Unix-like systems or C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts on Windows. The file is used to override the Domain Name System (DNS) resolution process, allowing users to manually specify which IP address should be associated with a particular hostname.

The hosts.txt file is structured with each line containing an IP address followed by one or more hostnames. Comments can be added by starting a line with a hash symbol (#). This file is particularly useful for network administrators and developers for testing and troubleshooting purposes. For example, it can be used to redirect a domain to a local server for development or to block access to a specific website by mapping its domain to an invalid IP address.

Modifications to the hosts.txt file require administrative privileges, as it is a system-level file. Changes made to this file are immediately effective and do not require a system reboot. However, it is important to back up the original file before making any changes, as incorrect entries can disrupt network connectivity.

The hosts.txt file is a simple yet powerful tool for network management and can be an essential resource for system administrators and developers. Its use is widespread across various operating systems and platforms, making it a versatile and widely recognized feature in the realm of networking.