The LMHOSTs file is simply a  text file that is located in your Windows
directory. It provides name resolution of host names to IP addresses. This
means, it associates computer names to IP addresses of other computers on
the network. LMHOSTS files, which contain host names and IP addresses, are
manually created and updated by you, and replicated onto all the servers in
the network.  LMHOSTS files have pretty much given way to the WINS
system.  The LM in LMHOSTS came from LAN Manager, Microsoft's earlier
network operating system.

While a manually configured LMHOST file may have some use if you have a
Linux Box running Samba on your system, it has no purpose or need on a
properly configured TCP/IP LAN = your small network. You can open up the
LMHOST file in any text editor and read instructions on how to set it up.

No, they are not a source of an Internet WAN connection problem.

Rode
The NOSPIN Group

>Can someone tell me what the Hosts and LMHOSTS files are I find in
>Windows Subdirectories ?  What are they for, and are they necessary and
>can then be deleted or modified.  Could they be a source of problems
>connecting to the internet..??
>
>David Hurst

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