ASCII text file of hostnames
The official list of ARPANET computers and their addresses.
Kudlick, M.D. and E.J. Feinler, "ASCII text file of hostnames", RFC 627, DOI 10.17487/RFC0627, March 1974, <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc627>.
@misc{rfc627,
series = {Request for Comments},
number = 627,
howpublished = {RFC 627},
publisher = {RFC Editor},
doi = {10.17487/RFC0627},
url = {https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc627},
author = {M.D. Kudlick and E.J. Feinler},
title = {{ASCII text file of hostnames}},
pagetotal = 1,
year = 1974,
month = mar,
} RFC text
Network Working Group Mike Kudlick (SRI-ARC)
RFC # 627 Jake Feinler (SRI-ARC)
NIC # 22360 March 25, 1974
ASCII TEXT FILE OF HOSTNAMES
The online ASCII text file of official hostnames as defined in RFCs 606
and 608 is now available at OFFICE-1 (Hostaddr. 43 decimal) with
pathname <NETINFO>HOSTS.TXT. Currently the file includes hostname, host
address, and host status. We hope to be adding additional attributes
soon. This file will be maintained by the NIC, and all hosts are
encouraged to use these hostnames in their monitors. Changes or
additions will be added on a weekly basis. Each network host will be
responsible for accessing this file via FTP for new information.
Presently no nicknames are included in this file. However, if any site
wants to register one official nickname, it may do so. Nicknames will
be added to the <NETINFO>HOSTS.TXT file as they are received, and
systems with name-to-address translation are encouraged, but not
required, to use them.
Although hostname changes and nicknames are perfectly valid in
principle, as a practical consideration we would like to ask hosts to
chose their official hostnames carefully, so that changes and nicknames
can be kept to a minimum.
If you have changes, additions, corrections, or comments please direct
them to:
Jake Feinler (415) 329-0742
Network Information Center Feinler @SRI-ARC
Stanford Research Institute IDENT=JAKE
Menlo Park, Calif. 94025
If any host wishes to maintain a secondary copy of this database (See
RFCs 623 and 625) please let us know.
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On this page
§1Introduction
RFC 627 announces that the official ARPANET hostnames file is now available online at OFFICE-1 (address 43 decimal) with the filename <NETINFO>HOSTS.TXT. The file is maintained by the Network Information Center and contains the hostname, address and status for each computer on the network. Sites are encouraged to use these official hostnames in their monitoring systems rather than maintaining private lists.
There is now one official list of all the network computers and where to find it, and everyone should use that instead of making their own lists.
§2File Contents and Updates
The HOSTS.TXT file is plain ASCII text listing each computer name, its numeric address and its current status. The NIC plans to add more attributes in the future. The file is updated on a weekly basis, and each site is responsible for using FTP to regularly download the latest copy. Sites that wish to maintain secondary copies of the database are encouraged to register with the NIC.
The file is a simple text list that gets updated every week, and any computer can copy it to stay up to date.
§3Hostnames and Nicknames
Each computer gets one official hostname, chosen carefully to minimize future changes. Sites may register an optional nickname for their computer if desired. The RFC asks sites to choose official hostnames thoughtfully to keep the database stable. All requests for additions, changes or corrections should be directed to the Network Information Center contact at Stanford Research Institute.
Every computer gets one official name that won't change much, and can have a nickname too. Picking good names keeps the list clean.