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Knowledge Base

TCP/IP Hosts File Is Case Sensitive

Article ID: 101746

Article Last Modified on 11/1/2006

APPLIES TO

Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server 3.1
Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.1
Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server 3.1

This article was previously published under Q101746

The hosts files for Windows NT TCP/IP are not case sensitive when you enter the name of a workstation for a TCP/IP address for Windows NT 3.5 and higher.

The hosts files for Windows NT TCP/IP are case sensitive when you enter the name of a workstation for a TCP/IP address. This can cause errors when attempting to use FTP or ping a workstation/server. Always match host filenames exactly, including any case changes.

If the hosts file contains the entry

   130.25.25.83 TestServer

type in the following command:

   ping testserver

The following error message appears:

testserver: unknown host

The command should read:

   ping TestServer

With the case sensitive command, the following correct response occurs (if the address is valid):

   Pinging host TestServer : 130.25.25.83
      ICMP Echo Reply:TTL 60
      ICMP Echo Reply:TTL 60
      ICMP Echo Reply:TTL 60
      ICMP Echo Reply:TTL 60
      Host Almathea replied to all 4 of the 4 pings

Additional query words: prodnt

Keywords: kbnetwork KB101746

Microsoft KB Archive/101746

TCP/IP Hosts File Is Case Sensitive