An interfaces file contains network information about all servers on your network, including instances, Backup Server, and XP Server, plus any other server applications such as Replication Server, and any other Open Server applications.
The network information in the file includes the server name, network name or address of the host machine, and the port, object, or socket number (depending on the network protocol) on which the server listens for queries. See “Understanding the format of the interfaces file”.
Each entry in an interfaces file can contain two types of lines:
Master lines, which are used by server applications to listen for queries over the network. This information is called a listener service.
Query lines, which are used by client applications to connect to servers over the network. This information is called a query service.
The network information contained in the master and query lines for a server may be identical because a server listens for connection requests on the same port that clients use to request connections.
A server needs master lines in its interfaces file. When servers act as clients to other servers, query lines are required for those servers.
A client’s interfaces file does not need a master line. It functions correctly with only a query line.
If you have more than one Adaptive Server or Cluster Edition installation, each server’s interfaces file should contain information about all servers on the network.
If all of your server products are running on the same platform, you can create one master interfaces file and copy that file to each machine. See “Creating a master interfaces file”.
If the host machine supports multiple networks, see “Configuring interfaces files for multiple networks”.
