Hosts File Override for .NET Control Connections in 64 bit Environments

Description

Loftware .NET applications will not connect in a 64 bit environment if IPV6 is enabled on the DNS.

Explanation

When you attempt to log into the .NET application you will get the following message. 

No connection could be made because the target machine actively refused it fe80::c822::a4ea::4ca::bf0c%12:2723No connection could be made because the target machine actively refused it fe80::c822::a4ea::4ca::bf0c%12:2723.  

If you use localhost instead of the machine name it returns the same message but the end of the message is different (::1:2723).  The previous message is also returned if you use 127.0.0.1 or the machines IPV4 address.

The Loftware .NET control runs all entries through DNS and returns the IPV6 address even if IPV6 is disabled on the local machine, and Loftware does not recognize IPV6 addresses.

Solution

The only way to bypass DNS is to create a local hosts file.

1. Open the hosts file located at C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts
2. Add an entry similar to: 172.16.34.4     test
3. Save the hosts file.
4. Use test in the connection dialog; IP Address for Loftware Print Server (LPS).

Note:  You can also simply remove the " # " from the line referencing localhost in the hosts file and use localhost to connect.

Result

After making the change to the hosts file the connection worked correctly.