Redirect IP to hostname

[beatme101]

I am using a hosts file to redirect many host names to a single IP
address, and this hosts file being used on many computers (running
various versions of Windows, though I use 2000 Pro here). Since the IP
is dynamic, the hosts file has to be updated occasionally, which can be
troublesome. I'm looking to change it to a dummy IP (Perhaps
255.133.73.57 (leetest ) because it can't be taken) which I then want
to have Windows redirect to a domain name, so I only have to update one
thing, in a central location (domain registrar) when the IP changes.

Does anyone know how redirecting an IP to a hostname can be done? I'm
hoping it's something as simple as just a registry key or file I need
to change on all of the computers, doesn't matter if I have to restart
Windows or not afterwards.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

I am using a hosts file to redirect many host names to a single IP
address, and this hosts file being used on many computers (running
various versions of Windows, though I use 2000 Pro here). Since the IP
is dynamic, the hosts file has to be updated occasionally, which can be
troublesome. I'm looking to change it to a dummy IP (Perhaps
255.133.73.57 (leetest ) because it can't be taken) which I then want
to have Windows redirect to a domain name, so I only have to update one
thing, in a central location (domain registrar) when the IP changes.

Does anyone know how redirecting an IP to a hostname can be done? I'm
hoping it's something as simple as just a registry key or file I need
to change on all of the computers, doesn't matter if I have to restart
Windows or not afterwards.

This is usually done by a domain name server.

 

[beatme101]

I'm genuinely confused. I want to have it so, when somone accesses an
entry in the hosts file that redirects to the dummy IP (for example,
let's say an entry is "255.133.73.57 a", so accessing 'a' in the
address bar will make Windows look up the IP for a real domain name and
then redirect 'a' to that real domain's IP rather than the dummy IP in
the hosts file.

I hope I have described it better this time.

 

[Dave Patrick]

These may help.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=How+dns+works
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=how+wins+works

--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

| I'm genuinely confused. I want to have it so, when somone accesses an
| entry in the hosts file that redirects to the dummy IP (for example,
| let's say an entry is "255.133.73.57 a", so accessing 'a' in the
| address bar will make Windows look up the IP for a real domain name and
| then redirect 'a' to that real domain's IP rather than the dummy IP in
| the hosts file.
|
| I hope I have described it better this time.
|
|
| Pegasus (MVP) wrote:
| > | > > I am using a hosts file to redirect many host names to a single IP
| > > address, and this hosts file being used on many computers (running
| > > various versions of Windows, though I use 2000 Pro here). Since the IP
| > > is dynamic, the hosts file has to be updated occasionally, which can
be
| > > troublesome. I'm looking to change it to a dummy IP (Perhaps
| > > 255.133.73.57 (leetest ) because it can't be taken) which I then
want
| > > to have Windows redirect to a domain name, so I only have to update
one
| > > thing, in a central location (domain registrar) when the IP changes.
| > >
| > > Does anyone know how redirecting an IP to a hostname can be done? I'm
| > > hoping it's something as simple as just a registry key or file I need
| > > to change on all of the computers, doesn't matter if I have to restart
| > > Windows or not afterwards.
| > >
| >
| > This is usually done by a domain name server.
|

 

[Frankster]

I am using a hosts file to redirect many host names to a single IP

address

Since the IP is dynamic, the hosts file has to be updated occasionally
which can be troublesome.

Check out using the LMHOSTS file rather than HOSTS.

 

[beatme101]

Well, I'm pretty familiar with DNS, but I'm not sure how that could
possibly help me redirect an IP address TO a domain name (which THEN
goes back to a different less static IP address which it is ALREADY
bound to and can be easily changed thanks to my domain registrar), and
I'm pretty sure WINS is a LAN-only thing (and I don't want to resolve
ALL names for computers that are at the moment using my hosts file)...
My hosts file is used by various computers across the internet.


LMHOSTS also looks like a LAN-only thing (though I am having a bit of
trouble understanding it), and it looks like you can only put names up
to 16 characters long in it, and it looks like it doesn't work on
Windows XP (some of the computers that use my hosts file are Windows
XP), and judging by you saying NetBIOS, I would have to guess that you
can only include a file if it is on LAN, which my server is not to
those computers using my hosts file.

 

[Frankster]

(which THEN goes back to a different less static IP address

Well, there are no "more" and/or "less" static IPs. There is static and
dynamic. Period.

I'd suggest you get a static IP.

-Frank

 

[beatme101]

You don't seem to understand.. With how things are right now, I can
only get a dynamic IP that changes every now and then (usually less
than monthly, sometimes more), hence less static. Are you saying that
you are 100% sure that there is absolutely no way that such a thing
could be done in Windows from 98 to XP?

 

[Frankster]

First I will respond assuming you want a public IP to resolve to a Hostname
(this is not called redirection). "Public" means address space that can be
routed throughout the Internet. First response follows...

First:
In your original post you stated you wanted to redirect an IP to a Hostname.
This is referred to as reverse dns lookup, or pointer record. Actually, it
is entirely separate from dns and/or host files used for name resolution
(forward lookup).

The ability to provide reverse dns resides ONLY with the actual owner of the
IP (your ISP). And the ISP will never do such a thing for a dynamic IP.

So, yes, I am saying 100 percent that you cannot obtain IP to Hostname
resolution with a dynamic address. Doesn't matter how often it changes.

The only way you can get your ISP to provide a reverse pointer record is to
purchase a static IP from them. Of course, that is if they will sell you
one. Most consumer plans will not sell you a static IP. I imagine you are on
a consumer plan. Consumer plans are usually cheaper.

Second I will respond assuming you are only dealing with internal non
routable addresses limited to your own LAN. These are called private
addresses. Second response follows...

Second:
You will have to set up an internal dns server, configure forward lookup
zones and then configure reverse lookup records. That will do it.

I can say 100 percent that a host file cannot do this for either pubic or
private addresses.

-Frank

 

[beatme101]

Gah, no, I want a FAKE address to be redirected to the hostname, NOT A
REAL ONE. I also DO NOT want my ISP to do it, I want to do it myself to
the computers that use this hosts file that will, if anyone can ever
understand this and help me get a solution instead of talking about
unrelated things, redirect each host to a fake IP, which that same
computer will then redirect requests for that IP to a host name (at
THIS point, no other point, redirection is no longer bound to the
computer that has the hosts file). There HAS to be a way that a
computer can say, "hey, I am trying to send a request to this IP that
is on such and such redirection list, I had better redirect my request
to this host name instead". Most computers do that just fine with the
hosts file, why can't they do it with something else?

So basically, the same computer is (in my yet to be realized imaginary
world) redirecting a request somewhere not once (hosts file), but twice
(something else).



If you or anyone else needs it re-worded any more times I can try.. But
it's getting harder and harder to keep re-wording it in ways that still
make sense..

Er, also, sorry if I sound rude..

 

[Frankster]

You got a lot of learning to do. You might want to come back after you brush
up on name resolution and IP terminology. There is no such thing as a "FAKE"
and/or "REAL" IP address... for starters. Your use of the term "redirection"
is suspect too.

If you or anyone else needs it re-worded any more times I can try.. But
it's getting harder and harder to keep re-wording it in ways that still
make sense..

Actually, not much you have said so far makes sense.

Er, also, sorry if I sound rude..

No problem.

-Frank

 

[beatme101]

Sure there is such a thing as a fake IP address. Would you consider
255.133.73.57 to be real? (255 cannot be taken)
What's wrong with "redirection"? Must be just a word you don't like.

Well sorry, I can't explain it better. I hope someone who can
understand simplicity will come along eventually..