Digital networking requires consistent name mapping throughout the network of digital sites. The best way to provide name mapping is by using a DNS server. If you do not use a DNS server you can use either a hosts file or IP addresses.
If your network contains only Business Communications Manager systems you can use IP addresses and do not have to use hosts files.
If your network contains sites other than Business Communications Manager digital sites, you must use hosts files if you do not use a DNS server.
If you use a Business Communications Manager system as a gateway to an Internet service provider and DNS servers cannot provide name resolution for the Business Communications Manager or other digital sites, you must use hosts files to provide consistent name mapping throughout the network.
You must do your system network configuration before you can add network sites. You can test your system’s name mapping with ping and nslookup commands.
If DNS is not available you must do one of the following:
If your digital network contains sites with sites other than Business Communications Manager, you must use a hosts file to provide consistent name mapping throughout the VPIM network.
NOTE: You can use a hosts file in combination with DNS in situations where DNS is not available in all branch locations.
If your digital network contains, and will only contain, Business Communications Manager sites, you can use IP addresses to create network sites. To create network sites using IP addresses, refer to:
NOTE: The DNS servers must provide constant name mapping throughout the network. Host files can be used to augment DNS if necessary. An instance where both hosts files and DNS may be required is when a Business Communications Manager is used as a gateway between a private network and an ISP.