Modify host file in preparation for going live

15 January 2025

Why are you being asked to temporarily modify your hostfile?

When your new e-commerce platform is about to go live, you may need to temporarily adjust the hostfile on your laptop. This will redirect the URL of your old platform on your laptop to the IP address of the new platform. Below is a step-by-step guide for both Windows and Apple users. Don't have access to the host file on your laptop? If so, please contact your IT manager.

What exactly do you need to modify?

From your implementation consultant you probably received one or more lines to paste into the host file, this looks like this:

00.000.000.000  www.example.nl
00.000.000.001  www.example.de

00.000.000.002  www.example.be

Copy these lines and go through the steps below to paste these lines into your host file and save them.

Instructions for Windows:

For Windows laptop users, you can modify the host file with the following steps:

  1. Open the Apps page (or via Start) of Windows 10 (Windows key + Q) and right-click on Notepad. Then choose the Run as Administrator option.
  2. At the top left of Notepad, choose File and then Open. Then Windows explorer opens, here you need to enter the following path: C:Windows System32 Drivers.
  3. Open the hosts file as administrator. The documents may not be visible yet, this is because only .txt files are visible. Make sure all files are visible by selecting this option.
  4. Paste the supplied lines (IP address + URL) into the host file
  5. Save the hostfile

Instructions for Apple (macOS):

For Mac users, you can modify the host file by following these steps:

  1. Open the Terminal
  2. Enter the command: sudo nano /etc/hosts
  3. Type in your password
  4. Paste the supplied lines (IP address + URL) into the host file
  5. Save with the key combination Control + O, followed by Return

Important to know:

After modifying the host file, keep the following points in mind:

  • Your current e-commerce platform is no longer accessible from now on via the entered URL on your laptop.
  • The URL you entered refers, exclusively on your laptop, to the new e-commerce platform.
  • Want to restore access to the current e-commerce platform? Then delete the added lines from the host file.
  • Is the new web shop live? Then permanently delete the previously entered rules from the host file.

Questions?

Would you like someone from XSARUS to join you in modifying the host file or do you have other questions? Feel free to contact your implementation consultant.