Sometimes you want to trick your computer into thinking a DNS address is really somewhere else (as a test) before you change it in the global DNS system.
For example, you just loaded your website here at QTH Hosting and before you modify DNS you wish to ensure it all looks correct when being served by our servers.
In this case, many will modify their hosts file. This will make your local computer look directly at the IP address you specify rather than relying on a DNS lookup as it normally out.
When modifying your hosts file, we recommend adding two entries: the www and the non-www version. For example, if you were looking to do this for example.org you would add both example.org and www.example.org in your hosts file like:
000.000.000.000 www.example.org000.000.000.000 example.org
NOTE: the fake IP number of 000.000.000.000 must be replaced with the IP number of the server your hosting is on. The IP was given to you in your initial welcome instructions.
How to edit the hosts file depends on operating system. Please note: after your temporary use of this override is complete you must remove these entries from your hosts file.
On Windows Systems, use notepad or another text editor, open the file c:\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc\hosts to make the edits.
For other systems, or for additional assistance you may wish to to search the web for "how to edit hosts file"
