I arrived at this local host thing?

Question

I have no Idea what sort of local hosts there are how can I find out?
http://localhost/mlss

Answer 1

By default, localhost is a reference to the [local, as opposed to remote] machine you are using, it's defined in a file named "HOSTS" on Windows and 'nix systems, and probably Macs as well -- in fact, probably on just about anything that supports TCP/IP that can be imagined.

If that URL actually loads a web page, it either means that an http server is running on your machine, or something has redefined the name localhost, in the HOSTS file.

To find out what's going on, open a command window (click the Run button, then type CMD ), then type:

NETSTAT -a -b -n

That will show you all the IP ports being used, and the processes using them. Look for the row that says 0.0.0.0:80 in the Local Address column, and LISTENING in the state column. The executable responsible will be shown below the address, [inetinfo.exe] is the Internet server service that comes with Windows (assuming that's what you are running.)

What to do next depends on what you find. You can rule-out redefinition of the name localhost by typing:

PING localhost

In the command window, it should indicate 127.0.0.1 as the address being pinged, anything else, localhost has been redefined.

Good Luck! Post more details and I'll try to help.

Answer 2

Localhost usually means the current computer. It's a way to refer to content that is on the local host, rather than off somewhere on the internet. ip address 127.0.0.1 also maps to localhost - your own PC.
So http://localhost/miss will be looking for a file on your PC.