The /etc/hosts file (/etc/inet/hosts in older versions of IMPAX) contains the IP address(es) and hostname(s) of the IMPAX station and all other network devices it communicates with. It is a directory that contains address listings and aliases for networked computers and peripherals.
You should create and maintain a master /etc/hosts file that can be loaded on all IMPAX stations. You must keep this file updated and consistent on all IMPAX stations.
 | CAUTION! Editing the hosts file is a Service Engineer's responsibility. Do not attempt to do this unless you have a solid understanding of UNIX and the Sun Solaris operating system. |
If you must change the IP address of the station, boot the machine in single user mode before you edit the /etc/hosts file; the command to type is boot-s.
Unless you know how to reconfigure the station, do not change the host name of the station. Editing the /etc/hosts file and reconfiguring network interfaces does not change essential database host name references.
The host name in the /etc/hosts file must match the host name that you enter in the host Network Manager of the Administration Tools.
If you are adding entries for other devices on the PACS network, use the UNIX visual editor or selections under the RGUI program to update the hosts file; the command to type is vi /etc/hosts.
For DICOM modalities, the modality Service Engineer is generally responsible for entering the network information for the Network Gateway on its side. DICOM modalities should always transmit studies to the Network Gateway and not directly to Display Stations or Clients.
For non-DICOM modalities that connect to the Agfa MG3000, Agfa Service performs the network configuration on the MG3000. IMPAX sees the MG3000 as the network host for all modalities that send to the MG3000.
 | Note: Use the comment field in the /etc/hosts file to enter relevant information such as the DICOM AE title or the physical location of each device. |