The interfaces file

The interfaces file is usually named interfaces, interface, or sql.ini, depending on the operating system.

The interfaces file lists the name and address of every known server. When you use a client program to connect to a server, the program looks up the server name in the interfaces file and then connects to the server using the address, as shown in Figure 1-1.

Figure 1-1: Connecting to Adaptive Server

Image of a person connecting to Adaptive Server using the interfaces file.

The name, location, and contents of the interfaces file differ between operating systems. Also, the format of the Adaptive Server addresses in the interfaces file differs between network protocols.

The Adaptive Server installation program creates a simple interfaces file that you can use for local connections to Adaptive Server over one or more network protocols. As a system administrator, modify the interfaces file and distribute it to users so that they can connect to Adaptive Server over the network. See the Configuration Guide for your platform for information about the interfaces file.

See Chapter 2, “Networks and Performance” in the Performance and Tuning Series: Basics for more information about the interfaces file and network listeners.