Description:
This article describes how to edit the hosts file in Windows in order to access local network resources that are resolved by DNS while the VPN tunnel is established.



Requirement:



Problem:
While the VPN tunnel is established, the virtual network adapter of the Advanced VPN Client is usually assigned a DNS server in the form of either the remote router or another server in the VPN network.

This means that local resources (e.g. a web server) at the location of the device running the Advanced VPN Client cannot be accessed by DNS name; the request from Windows is sent not to the local DNS server but to the remote router instead.



Procedure:

In order for local resources to be accessible by DNS name, they need to be manually entered into the hosts file in Windows.

Important:
Only experienced users should modify the hosts file. This is done in the same way under Windows 7 and Windows 10.

1) Open the Start menu. You can also do this with the Windows key on your keyboard.

2) Enter Notepad into the search box.

3) Right-click on Notepad to open the context menu and select Run as administrator.

4) Confirm the User Account Control query with Yes.

5) In the Notepad editor, press the key combination CTRL + O and open the folder c:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc.

6) In order to display the hosts file in the folder, go to the drop-down menu at the bottom right of the dialog window and select All files (*.*).

7) Enter into the hosts file the IP address and DNS name of the local resource(s), and then save the file.