create a local dns entry om a workstation,Create a Local DNS Entry on a Workstation

Create a Local DNS Entry on a Workstation

Managing DNS entries on a local workstation can be a crucial task for IT professionals and advanced users alike. It allows you to map domain names to specific IP addresses without relying on external DNS servers. This can be particularly useful for testing purposes, local network configurations, or simply for personal preferences. In this guide, I will walk you through the process of creating a local DNS entry on a Windows workstation, providing you with a comprehensive and detailed step-by-step approach.

Understanding Local DNS Entries

Before diving into the creation process, it’s essential to understand what a local DNS entry is and how it differs from a global DNS entry. A local DNS entry is a mapping that is only applicable to the machine on which it is created. It does not affect other devices on the network or the wider internet. This means that if you create a local DNS entry for “example.com” pointing to “192.168.1.100,” only the machine on which you created the entry will resolve “example.com” to “192.168.1.100.” Other devices on the network will continue to use their configured DNS settings.

Creating a Local DNS Entry on Windows

Creating a local DNS entry on a Windows workstation is a straightforward process. Here’s how you can do it:

Open the Command Prompt as an administrator. You can do this by searching for “cmd” in the Start menu, right-clicking on Command Prompt, and selecting “Run as administrator.” Alternatively, you can press the Windows key, type “cmd,” and then press Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
In the Command Prompt, navigate to the directory where you want to store the DNS records. For example, you might want to create a directory called “DNS” on your desktop. Use the following command to navigate to the desktop:
cd DesktopDNS
Create a new text file in the directory. You can do this by right-clicking in the directory, selecting “New,” and then choosing “Text Document.” Rename the file to “hosts” (without the quotes) to match the format of the DNS records file.
Open the “hosts” file in a text editor. You can do this by double-clicking on the file or by right-clicking on the file and selecting “Open with” followed by “Notepad” or your preferred text editor.
Enter the DNS entry you want to create. The format of a DNS entry is as follows:
IP Address Domain Name
For example, to create a local DNS entry for “example.com” pointing to “192.168.1.100,” you would enter the following line in the “hosts” file:
192.168.1.100 example.com
Save the “hosts” file.
Restart your computer or flush the DNS cache to apply the changes. You can flush the DNS cache by running the following command in the Command Prompt:
ipconfig /flushdns

Example: Creating a Local DNS Entry for a Web Server

Let’s say you have a web server running on your local network with the IP address “192.168.1.200.” You want to create a local DNS entry for “webserver.local” that points to this IP address. Here’s how you would do it: