Week 5
This week I would like to discuss the hosts file that used to be the directory for the entire internet. Back when the internet was just a baby, the ‘hosts’ file was a file placed on every computer that was connected to the internet that had a list of IP addresses and friendly names for all other computers also connected to the internet. Every day at 2 AM, this list would be updated with any new computers that had been added. Of course, this system quickly became unsustainable and had to be replaced with a new system which later became known as DNS. Interestingly, this hosts file still exists on all computers today, and still works just as it always had, albeit you (or your system administrator) are now the people in charge of maintaining the list. One use for the hosts file that I have found recently is the Remote Desktop Connection app used within Pro versions of Windows. I’m not sure when the setting became a thing, but on the ‘Advanced’ tab on the connection dialog box is ...