The interfaces file is usually named interfaces, interface, or sql.ini, depending on the operating system.
The interfaces file is like an address book. It 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
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.
When you install Adaptive Server, the 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, it is your responsibility to modify the interfaces file and distribute it to users so that they can connect to Adaptive Server over the network. See the configuration documentation for your platform for information about the interfaces file for your platform.
