MacTCP: Syntax of Hosts File

I have a question about the Host file for MacTCP used in the remote commands to edit/create in MacX. With the Host... button I can select the connection method and the host. The MacX documentation specifies that the Host List will contain the names in the Hosts file of the System Folder.

How is the Host file created and what is the format? I haven't been able to get any names to appear in this list, so I use the network dot address for testing. I've tried creating a Host file like the /etc/hosts file on A/UX with TeachText (format <dot address> <host name>), but with no success.
Note: The syntax for a Hosts file under Open Transport TCP/IP is different. See Technical Information Library article, "Open Transport 1.1/TCP Supports HOSTS File", for Open Transport.

The syntax of the Hosts file used with MacTCP conforms to the master file syntax specified in RFC (Request For Comment) 1035. Here is the syntax:

name type data [;comment]

name = the name assigned to a host or domain on the internet.

type = the type is one of the three below:

- "A" for address
- "NS" for Name Server
- "CNAME" for Canonical name

data = determined by the type specified

comment = this is optional and begins with a semicolon (;)

The syntax of /etc/hosts file in A/UX is not compatible with the syntax of RFC 1035.

You can use a sample Hosts file which is included in the MacTCP software distribution to edit/add/delete entries and create a new Hosts file for your network.

Here are sample entries in a Hosts file:

roland1 A 130.252.11.27 ; Mike Berg

bruce A 130.252.11.30 ;

windx A 130.252.11.31 ; Rudy Martin

rizzi A 130.252.11.32 ; John Rizzi

scoodt A 130.252.11.33 ; Rudy Martin

renee1 A 130.252.11.34 ; Renee Gibson

paul A 130.252.11.35 ;

wendy A 130.252.11.36 ;

frank A 130.252.11.37 ;

setlab A 130.252.11.38 ; Craig Adams

dick A 130.252.11.39 ; Dick Mahoney

xshare A 130.252.11.40 ; Rudy Martin

rudy A 130.252.11.41 ; Rudy Martin

eagle A 130.252.11.42 ;

Note: You have to restart your computer after making changes to the Hosts file. The file should be named "Hosts" and should be in the system folder, not in any other folder.

For more information on the syntax of MacTCP Hosts file, refer to Appendix A, Name-to-Address Mapping, in the "MacTCP Administrator's Guide."
Published Date: Feb 18, 2012