networks database

The networks database associates network names with network numbers, enabling some applications to use and display names rather than numbers. The networks database is based on information in the /etc/inet/networks file. It contains the names of all networks to which your network connects via routers.

The Solaris installation program sets up the initial networks database. The only time you need to update it is when you add a new network to your existing network topology.

The networks(4) man page contains full syntax information for /etc/inet/networks. Here is its basic format

network-name network-number nickname(s) # comment

network-name is the official name for the network.

network-number is the number assigned by the InterNIC.

nickname is any other name by which the network is known.

#comment is any kind of note you want to append to an entry in the file.

It is particularly important that you maintain the networks file. The netstat program uses the information in this database to produce status tables.

Example 4-9 shows a sample /etc/networks file:

Example 4-9 /etc/networks File

#ident	"@(#)networks	1.4	92/07/14 SMI"	/* SVr4.0 1.1	*/
#
# The networks file associates Internet Protocol (IP) network
numbers with network names. The format of this file is:
#
# 	network-name		 	 network-number		 	 nicnames . . .

# The loopback network is used only for intra-machine
communication
#loopback		 	 127

# Internet networks
#
arpanet     10	   arpa  # Historical
ucb-ether   46	   ucbether
#
# local networks

eng   193.9.0  #engineering
acc   193.9.1  #accounting
prog  193.9.2  #programming