Maya 2015 error message: Socket error creating command port

Early 2008 Mac Pro (MacPro3,12)

18 GB Memory

Startup disk: Macintosh HD: OS 10.6.8

Internal SSD: OWC Mercury EXTREME PRO 6G SSD : OS 10.8.4

I am getting the following error message when I try to do a batch render using Maya 2015, which is installed on the internal OWC SSD (OS 10.8.4):

Batch render // Error: line 1: Socket error creating command port: xxxxxxxxxxxx.attlocal.net:7835

Although I am not using a render farm (am batch rendering locally), Maya apparently receives/gives (?) rendering data via the Internet that loops (?) back to my local computer. Seems like a lot of people are having this same problem, but no one has a definitive answer (e.g. Autodesk). Since it may be a firewall issue, I have tried modifying my att firewall to allow reception from Autodesk Maya 2015 but am running into password login issues with att uverse that are not yet resolved. also, I have just added Maya 2015 to the list of allowable applications in my local computer firewall. Plan to test the batch render from Maya 2015 on the OWC SSD.

A suggestion from an Autodesk forum was as follows:

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03-19-2014 06:10 PM in reply to: xxx

I fixed this by editing my /etc/hosts file and adding the hostname of the machine to the 127.0.0.1 entry.

Terminal Commands: (Linux / Mac)

1.hostname

this will print out something like mymachinename OR mymachinename.local. Copy this name.

2. sudo nano /etc/hosts

3. look for the line that starts with 127.0.0.1

4. Add the output from the hostname command to the end of that line

5. To write and close the file hit Ctrl + o then Ctrl + x

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Questions:

1. Is this advisable?

if so,

2. My hosts document first line is 127.0.01 localhost

Would I replace the word "localhost" with my machinename?

Or would I add the machinname after the word "localhost"?

3. Should I continue trying to customize the att firewall instead of all the above?

Any help greatly appreciated.