How To Update Telnet Host File Configurations

The purpose of this page is to instruct you in how to update your "host" file for your telnet client. The host file is basically just a text listing of frequently accessed server names and/or IP addresses that your telnet client uses to open up a telnet session. In updating this list, you wind up adding a new server address to your list of frequently accessed servers. Doing this allows you to open up a telnet session for that server without having to type in the server address each time you wish to log on. How you update your host file will depend on which telnet client you use. If you use Windows 3.11 or Windows 95, then you are probably using WinQVT. If you are using an Apple computer, then you are probably using NCSA Telnet.

Updating Your WinQVT Host File:

  1. Open "Notepad" (In Windows 95, go to Start, then Programs, then Accessories, then Notepad. In Windows 3.11, open the Accessories group, then double-click on Notepad.)
  2. Click on File, then Open. In Files of Type, select *.*.
  3. From the hard disk ( c:\ ), browse to the WinQVT directory (This is usually listed as QVTnet) and double-click on the "hosts" file.
  4. Once the file is open, hit the Enter key to insert a new line. Now, go up to the new empty line and add the IP number of the server for which you are adding an entry. If you are adding an entry for the CATS1 server as part of your account migration, then type in the IP address: 198.206.16.7. Now, press the "tab" key and then enter the name of the server. For CATS1, type: cats1.admin.pps.pgh.pa.us.
  5. Go to File, then Exit. When prompted on whether or not you want to save the changes, click on "Yes."

Updating Your NCSA Telnet Host File:

  1. Open up NCSA Telnet.
  2. Go to Edit, then Preferences, then Sessions.
  3. Click on New.
  4. In the Alias field, enter the name of the server, i.e.: cats1.admin.pps.pgh.pa.us (or what you wish to call that session)
  5. In the Hostname field, enter the name of the server, i.e.: cats1.admin.pps.pgh.pa.us.
  6. Click on OK.

Common Knowledge: Pittsburgh

March 24, 1997