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KB Article ID#12080

I have an IIS site that uses host headers and does not have a dedicated IP. DNS hasn't propagated yet but I need to access it now. How can this be done?
 

There is a work around that will allow you to view the site in a browser on a client machine (or edit in frontpage) but it must be done on every client machine that needs to access it before propagation is complete.

In addition to DNS, Windows uses a system text file called a HOSTS file to resolve domain names to IP addresses. Windows actually checks this file before it checks DNS for any name resolution, so it is often used as a way to speed up connection time to sites people visit frequently. It is also frequently used to disable adware, banners and commercial popups by substituting a local IP for well-known adware domains. In this case, however, it can be used to give you immediate access to your domain.

Here is what you need to do:

Find the hosts file. In Windows 2000 it is located in C:\WINNT\system32\drivers\etc\ and is simply called HOSTS with no file extension. In Windows XP it is located in C:\Windows\system32\drivers\etc\ and also called HOSTS with no file extension. For other Windows versions you may need to check your help files for name and location.
 
- Open the file in Notepad  

- Move your cursor down to the end of the last line in the file, and then press <ENTER> for a carriage return.

-Enter the following three lines, substituting your website's shared IP address for n.n.n.n and your actual domain name for domainname.com:

 n.n.n.n  domainname.com
 n.n.n.n  www.domainname.com
 
-Save the file.
 
-Close all browser windows, then reopen one and navigate to the domain and it should load.

Implement this work around on any windows machine on which you need immediate access to that domain.

 

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Article Length: 2KB Date Created: 5/22/2003
Author: David Kopacz Last Updated: 8/15/2005
   
Article Applies To: Account Setup - Virtual Dedicated Hosting
 
KB Article ID#12080      Copyright © 1999-2005 ASPwebhosting.com, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.