What is "localhost"

philg | 15:24 Tue 02nd Mar 2010 | Computers

2 Answers

I've just installed some software on my pc that requires me to browse to a url containing "localhost"

When I ping localhost, I'd expect it to be my own ip address

but it isn't

My IP is 192.168.0.3, but when I ping localhost it pings to 127.0.0.1

BUT when I tracert 127.0.0.1 it behaves as if it IS my pc

I'm confused - I'd appreciate some enlightenment

Thanks

Phil G

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Vagrant

They're both your PC - 192.168.0.3 is the address of your network adapter (normally referred to as your IP address) , and localhost/127.0.0.1 is a special address known as the loopback, which is your PC but the PC side of the network adapter - It's main use is for diagnostic purposes.

philg

Question Author

Ahhhh

I was expecting localhost to resolve to my IP address, so I was confused when it didn't

Thanks

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