Add the server name to the HOSTS file

Identify server to the network.

If you are not using a domain name server, you need to add the iSeries™ server name with which you want to communicate to the HOSTS file. Also, add the iSeries NetServer™ server name to the LMHOSTS file if you are relying on iSeries NetServer for file and print serving. For instructions on updating your LMHOSTS file, see Configure the PC for iSeries NetServer Use.

To create or change the HOSTS file, do the following:

Note: The directory in the following examples could be \winnt\system32 instead of \windows\system32 for some Windows^® operating systems.

Open a command prompt.
Change to the directory that should contain the HOSTS file, the directory in which the HOSTS file must remain. For example:
```
c:\>cd \windows\system32\drivers\etc
```
Optional: If a file named HOSTS already exists in this directory, skip this step. Create a file named HOSTS by copying the sample file (supplied by the Windows operating system). The file is in the same directory and is called hosts.sam.
For example:
```
c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc>copy hosts.sam hosts
```
Edit the HOSTS file. For example:
```
c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc>edit hosts
```
Follow the instructions in the HOSTS sample file to add the IP address and name of the iSeries server to which you want to connect.
Save the HOSTS file.
Note: For PC5250, if you do not use a name server or hosts table, you cannot start the 5250 emulator delivered with iSeries Access for Windows. The left bottom corner of your emulation display indicates a 657 communication error (Resolving TELNET 5250 server host-domain name).

You can choose to use a HOSTS file if you have only a few machines using TCP/IP. This requires that you maintain an up-to-date list on each computer. When an iSeries address changes, you must change the HOSTS file entry if one exists.