Modifying the Hosts File

The Server Consolidation Utility connects the servers involved in a consolidation using one of two methods, SLP or the sys:\etc\hosts file. Nterprise Branch Office does not configure SLP, so consolidations to Nterprise Branch Office appliances must use information in the hosts file.

In order to successfully complete a consolidation, the sys:\etc\hosts file on the Nterprise Branch Office appliance must contain the IP address and server name of the source servers involved in the consolidation. This information must be manually input into the file before running the Server Consolidation project.

IMPORTANT:  The Nterprise Branch Office appliance reconfigures itself each time it is restarted. This causes the sys:\etc\hosts file on the appliance to be rewritten each time it is restarted. If only one consolidation is being run with an Nterprise Branch Office appliance, the hosts file needs to be modified only once to include the source server's IP address and server name. However, if more than one consolidation is going to be run on an Nterprise Branch Office appliance, and the appliance has been restarted since the last consolidation, the hosts file must be modified each time the appliance is restarted.


On the Nterprise Branch Office Appliance

  1. At the Nterprise Branch Office appliance's server console, enter edit.

  2. Press Insert.

  3. Select sys:, then press Enter.

  4. Select etc, then press Enter.

  5. Select hosts, then press Enter > Enter.

  6. Add to the file the IP address and server name of every source server involved in the consolidation project.

    Type the IP addresses and server names as xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx Server_Name.

  7. Save the file.

  8. Run the consolidation project.


On the Client Workstation

  1. Launch Windows Explorer.

  2. Browse to the Nterprise Branch Office server.

  3. Double-click the server name.

  4. Double-click the sys: volume.

  5. Double-click the etc directory.

  6. Open the Hosts file with a text editor.

  7. Add to the file the IP address and server name of every source server involved in the consolidation project.

    Type the IP addresses and server names as xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx Server_Name.

  8. Save the file.

  9. Run the consolidation project.