Connectivity

The first step in configuring your machine to utilize Exchange Hosting Service is a network configuration change necessary to help your computer locate our servers on the Internet.

There are two ways to do it, you can either use a hosts file or add webville.net to the domain suffix search order in your DNS configuration.

We will provide step-by-step instructions with screen shots for implementing either solution, and the Connectivity Test page will show you how to run a simple ping test to make sure you've been successful.

Please note, you only need to implement one of these options, not both. 

Option 1. Resolving the server name with a HOSTS file

Click the link below to open a new window with instructions for configuring your HOSTS file. 

HOSTS file instructions

Option 2. Resolving the server name with DNS

This option may be more complicated to implement, but has the advantage of automatically adapting to changes in network configuration, where hosts files need to be manually updated.

The list of DNS suffixes, or domain suffix search order is found in TCP/IP properties. The steps for opening this dialog vary depending on which version of Windows you're using. 

Click the appropriate Operating System in the list below to open a new window with instructions for your system.

Windows Vista
Windows XP
Windows 2000
Windows NT4
Windows 95/98/ME

Next Steps

The next step in the setup process after configuring the DNS suffix search order, or installing the HOSTS file, is the Connectivity Test. You can return to the Step-By-Step page and go from there if you prefer.