TCP/IP uses four database files in the sys:\etc\ directory to convert internal data, such as IP addresses, into more identifiable and workable names.
The sys:\etc.hosts file maps hostnames to IP addresses
The sys:\etc.networks maps network names to network addresses
The sys:\etc.protocol maps protocol names to IP protocol numbers
The sys:\etc.services maps service names to TCP and UDP ports
The user interface for TCPCON and other NLM™ files uses these database files. To inform TCP/IP of names and addresses of local nodes and networks, you must add that information to these files. The files are cached in memory so that disk access is avoided during lookup. Because of this, TCP/IP takes up more memory. If this is not desirable, keep the size of the database small or simply delete the files.
These files are described in the sections following this discussion.
If you are configuring TCP/IP for the first time, we recommend that you start by copying the sample database files from sys:\etc\\samples to sys:\etc\. This provides you with some examples to refer to as you add your own entries, and also provides TCP/IP with the PROTOCOL and SERVICES files.
You can modify these files with a standard text editor from any NetWare® client, or you can use edit.nlm from the NetWare system console. The following sections describe the formats of the files, which are compatible with the same files on standard 4.3BSD UNIX systems. The examples in the sample files can also help you create your own entries.
The files have the same names and format as the files on UnixWare* systems and other UNIX systems. You can use FTP to transfer the files from a UNIX host.
Each database file describes a table. Each line of the file describes a separate table entry. Blank lines and comments are ignored. Comments begin with a pound sign (#) anywhere in a line and include the pound sign and any characters following it on the same line.
IMPORTANT:Do not use the sample addresses provided in the database files if you are connected to the Internet; these addresses are for example only.