Valid TCP/IP Host Names (as Specified by RFC 952) (101785)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.5
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.51
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.5
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.51
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server 3.1
This article was previously published under Q101785
TCP/IP host names are limited to a more restrictive set of characters than computer names. The following characters are valid: 

   0...9
   a...z
   A...Z
   .
   - (hyphen, not underscore)


Note: Your computer name does not have to be the same as your host name. By default, TCP/IP setup will set your host name to your computer name, replacing illegal characters with a hyphen (-).
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:5/4/2005
Keywords:kbnetwork KB101785
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.