Configuring domain name resolution with a HOSTS file

A HOSTS file is a text file that maps host names to IP addresses. This file is typically used to resolve host names for TCP/IP utilities. You can use a HOSTS file to resolve host names for desktop messaging if you do not have a DNS.

To use the HOSTS file, you must

  1. Define the host and domain name on the CallPilot server.

  2. Update the HOSTS file on CallPilot server with the CallPilot server name and IP address.

  3. Configure the LDAP search base in CallPilot Manager.

  4. Configure the HOSTS file on all computers with desktop messaging installed.

Once you complete the configuration, you should write down the search base, host name and mock domain name. This information is required to configure the e-mail clients used with desktop messaging. If a different person will install and configure desktop messaging, provide them with this information and inform them that you are using a HOSTS file for name resolution.

To define a host name and domain name

  1. In the Windows Control Panel, double-click  Network.

  2. Select TCP/IP Dialup Adapter, and then click Properties.

  3. On the DNS Configuration tab, type a mock host name in the Host box.

Example: A mock host name can be any name (for example, myServer).

  1. In the Domain box, type a mock domain name. Since you do not have an authorized domain, you must configure a mock domain.

Example: A domain can be any name (for example, myCompany).

  1. Make a note of the host name and domain name that you defined.

  2. Click OK to save your changes.

To update the HOSTS file on CallPilot server

  1. On the CallPilot server, choose Start > Find > Files or Folders.

  2. Type hosts in the Named box and click Find Now. The HOSTS file appears in the list of files found.

  3. Open the HOSTS file with a text editor such as Notepad.

Note If the HOSTS file does not exist, copy the HOSTS.SAM file and rename it as HOSTS.

  1. In the HOSTS file, type the IP address of the CallPilot server at the bottom of the file. Press Tab and type the host name of the CallPilot server (for example, myserver). The bottom of the HOSTS file looks like the following:

127.0.0.5 localhost
58.345.6.12 myserver

  1. In the text editor, choose  File > Save.

To configure the LDAP search base

  1. In CallPilot Manager, choose Messaging > Internet Mail Clients.

  2. In the LDAP section, type the search base in the Enter the directory tree root hosted by this LDAP server box. The search base contains the mock domain name that you defined on the server.

Example: If myCompany is the domain, then the search base is dc=mycompany.

  1. Click Save to save your changes.

  2. From the Messaging menu, click Messaging Network Configuration.

  3. In the SMTP/VPIM section, type the host name that you previously defined in the Server FQDN box.

  4. Click Save.

To configure the HOSTS file on the user workstation

  1. On the user's computer, choose Start > Find > Files or Folders.

  2. Type hosts in the Named box and click Find Now. The HOSTS file appears in the list. If the HOSTS file is not found, copy the HOSTS.SAM file and rename the copy HOSTS.

  3. Open the HOSTS file with a text editor such as Notepad.

  4. In the HOSTS file, enter the IP address of the CallPilot server at the bottom of the file. Press Tab and type the Hostname of the CallPilot server. The bottom of the HOSTS file should look like the following:

127.0.0.5 localhost
58.345.6.12 myserver

  1. In the text editor, choose  File > Save.

  2. Repeat steps 1 to 3 on each computer that will use desktop messaging.

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