How to set multiple subdomains in the host file (DNS)?

Question

I have a lot of subdomains in the main domain xxx.zzz

So, for this domain, I can have

aaa.xxx.zzz
bbb.xxx.zzz
ccc.xxx.zzz
ddd.xxx.zzz
eee.xxx.zzz

....ETC....

Istead of adding each subdomain in the host file, I would like to add only the main domain xxx.zzz and then to be able to access all the subdomains.

I have tryed with *.xxx.zzz but apparently, this will not work (Linux or Windows).

Any idea is welcome. Thank you very much.

score 27 · Accepted Answer · answered Dec 18 '12 at 08:02

27

Wildcards don't work in hosts files. You either have to write them all:

w.x.y.z example.com foo.example.com bar.example.com baz.example.com

or setup proper DNS

answered Dec 18 '12 at 08:02

ptman

29,862

score 5 · Answer 2 · edited May 23 '17 at 12:41

5

If you REALLY want this to work you should be using DNS as stated but if you're not in control of DNS and need to use the HOSTS file, you can use a DNS Proxy on your PC which allows wildcards in its own HOSTS file.

Example is in this thread, read down to the post about Acrilic DNS : https://stackoverflow.com/questions/138162/wildcards-in-a-hosts-file

edited May 23 '17 at 12:41

Community

1

answered Dec 18 '12 at 09:41

user72593

423
2
6
14

score 5 · Answer 3 · answered Dec 18 '12 at 09:43

Wildcard syntax is possible in full-featured DNS servers. For BIND record should look like this:

host1.example.com. 3600 IN  A     127.0.0.2
*.example.com.     3600 IN  CNAME host1.example.com.

If you clarify what DNS server you use I can provide an example for it.

How to set multiple subdomains in the host file (DNS)?

3 Answers3