HOSTS file does not retain changes between boots

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Level 1

15 points

HOSTS file does not retain changes between boots

I make a number of changes to my HOSTS file for various reasons. Lately, though, I've noticed that attempts to alter the HOSTS file are reverted automatically for some reason.

I modify my HOSTS file by using the command at the terminal: sudo nano /private/etc/hosts

After editing the HOSTS file, I will save while exiting with control+X. At this point the changes are retained. Looking at /private/etc/hosts or /etc/hosts will show the changes I've made. Pining the domains I've modified will show the relevant changes.

Everything is working at this point.

However, at some point after a reboot, the HOSTS file will revert all of my changes without my asking. Looking at the HOSTS file will show it in the state it was before I made any changes at all, despite the file being modified and saved in the previous session.

Could anyone please advise as to how I can permenantly modify my HOSTS file? Again, I AM editing the file as root, and I AM saving the file. It works fine until reboot.

Thanks for any help.

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Dec 10, 2011 6:36 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Alberto Ravasio

Level 5

4,279 points

Dec 10, 2011 7:15 AM in response to Carbonyl

These are one of the weirdness of OS X.

You never know what is better to change. Plain standard text files or Directory Service database.

This should work

sudo dscl localhost -create /Local/Default/Hosts/donalduck IPAddress 192.168.1.15

use it for each entry you need to add at your hosts file.

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Answer 2

Carbonyl Author

Level 1

15 points

Dec 10, 2011 7:14 AM in response to Alberto Ravasio

Thanks Alberto! I was unaware of this little quirk, but now I'm wiser. I really appreciate it!

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Answer 3

midlova

Level 1

0 points

Dec 10, 2011 10:03 PM in response to Alberto Ravasio

Alberto - I have this issue too. I tried your fix but after reboot I still lose my settings. I am running Lion 10.7.

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Answer 4

Dec 11, 2011 4:32 AM in response to midlova

With Lions should be fine editing the standard /etc/hosts file

##

# Host Database

#

# localhost is used to configure the loopback interface

# when the system is booting. Do not change this entry.

##

127.0.0.1 localhost

add here your IPv4 hosts list

255.255.255.255 broadcasthost

::1 localhost

fe80::1%lo0 localhost

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Answer 5

red_menace

Level 6

17,030 points

Dec 11, 2011 9:34 AM in response to Carbonyl

Hmmm, I've always used BBEdit (or TextWrangler) to edit the hosts file and have had no problems in Snow Leopard or Lion.

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Answer 6

midlova

Level 1

0 points

Dec 11, 2011 6:03 PM in response to Alberto Ravasio

Alberto - i tried it at the same position, but again after reboot it reverts back. If I don't reboot it keeps the setting and I can ping by name some of my local addresses with no issues. I am running Lion 10.7.2. I am using terminal to edit it with the sudo command.

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Answer 7

fane_j

Level 4

3,697 points

Dec 11, 2011 9:49 PM in response to midlova

Well, Lions have no business posting here -- you're different beasts and you have your own lair. To give you a clue and speed you on your way, here's a blog entry that might help.

Now that we're between us solitary cats, it's a curious business. It's been solved already to the OP's satisfaction, but I'd've been curious about /etc/hosts's modified and access timestamps before and after rebooting, and about line endings. I assume, of course, that the OP flushed the cache after modifying /etc/hosts.

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