How MacTCP Uses FTP Addresses to Connect

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Huh?

by Ben Chuang

When you ask MacTCP to connect to a hostname, several steps occur before MacTCP connects.

If the Name is "Fully Qualified"

MacTCP checks the hostname for a period. If the hostname ends in a period, MacTCP looks up exactly what was typed. This applies to names of any length. The default domain in MacTCP is ignored.

Examples
- If you ftp to ftp.info.apple.com, MacTCP always connects you to ftp.info.apple.com. (since it ends in a period).
- If you ftp to ftp. MacTCP looks for ftp. (it also ends in a period).

If the Name is "Partially Qualified"

If the name typed is longer than one word (separated by periods), MacTCP connects to whatever was typed. The default domain in MacTCP is ignored.

Examples
- If you type ftp.info.apple.com, MacTCP looks for ftp.info.apple.com.
- If your default domain is apple.com and you type ftp.info, MacTCP ignores the domain and looks for ftp.info.

NOTE: Most Macintosh users expect this behavior, but it is important to remember that other TCP/IP software (UNIX, Open Transport, DOS software) may behave differently. Ideally, the second example would have resulted in a lookup for ftp.info.apple.com.

If the Name is Just a Hostname

If the name is one word, then add the "default domain" from the MacTCP control panel.

Example
- If your domain is info.apple.com and you type ftp, MacTCP looks for ftp.info.apple.com.
- If the hosts file or domain name servers have information on the host and the host is working, you should connect to the desired machine.

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