When developing a website, it's essential to thoroughly test it before making it live. However, if you're working with a custom domain name, this can present a challenge. Typically, the domain name is already routed to a live site, while development continues on a separate server. To review the pre-launch website without making it public, you can modify the hosts file on your local machine. This method allows you to point the custom domain name to the IP address of your development environment, enabling you to test the site as if it were live.
Understanding the Hosts File
The hosts file is a plain text file that maps IP addresses to domain names. When you type a URL into your browser, your computer checks the hosts file before querying a DNS (Domain Name System) server. If it finds a match in the hosts file, it will use the IP address specified there instead of the one provided by the DNS server. This feature is particularly useful when you need to test a website under its actual domain name without affecting the live site.
Steps to Modify the Hosts File
1. Locate the Hosts File:
- Windows: The hosts file is typically located at:
C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts- MacOS and Linux: You can generally find it at:
/etc/hosts2. Open the Hosts File: Open the hosts file using a text editor with administrative privileges. On Windows, you might use Notepad as an administrator. On MacOS and Linux, you can use the following command in the terminal.
sudo nano /etc/hosts3. Add the Custom Domain Mapping: In the hosts file, add a new line that maps the IP address of your development server to your custom domain name. Replace 192.168.1.100 with the actual IP address of your development server and www.example.com with your custom domain name. Alternatively, you can also use the loopback IP address if your development server is on the current device:
# Mapping to Development Server on a Device in the Local Network
192.168.1.100 www.example.com
192.168.1.100 example.com
# Mapping to Development Server on the Current Device (IPv4 & IPv6)
127.0.0.1 www.example.com
::1 www.example.com
127.0.0.1 example.com
::1 example.com4. Save the Hosts File: After adding the necessary entries, save the file. Ensure that you do not change the file extension, it should remain as hosts without any file extension.
5. Clear Your DNS Cache: To ensure that your changes take effect, clear your DNS cache.
- Windows: Run the following command in Command Prompt:
ipconfig /flushdns- MacOS: Use the following commands in the Terminal:
sudo dscacheutil -flushcache
sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder- Linux: If your Linux system is using systemd-resolved service, you can use one of the following commands in the Terminal:
sudo resolvectl flush-caches
sudo systemd-resolve --flush-caches6. Test the Website: Now, when you enter your custom domain name in the browser, it should direct you to the development environment instead of the live site. You can test your website's functionality, DNS settings, and SSL configuration as if it were live.
Why This Method is Useful?
By using the hosts file to map your custom domain to a development server, you can:
- Preview Changes: See exactly how the website will appear when it goes live.
- Test SSL Certificates: Ensure your SSL certificates are correctly configured before public launch.
- Avoid Downtime: Make sure everything works perfectly on your development site without affecting the live site.
This approach is invaluable for web developers, testers, and administrators who need to ensure that everything is in perfect order before launching a new website or making significant updates to an existing one.
I hope you found this article helpful and informative. Thanks For Reading!
Last updated on December 17, 2024