what is localhost entry in /etc/hosts

[Scott_20]

Hello,
Can someone explain what this means:

127.0.0.1 localhost loopback

Also, I have seen:
127.0.0.0 localhost loopback

thanks and good day

[A. Clay Stephenson · Accepted solution]

127.0.0.1 is a special IP address that is referred to as "loopback" with various aliases such as "localhost" and "lb". Essentially when the IP subsystem sees this address, it loops back to itself without making a physical network connection. It provides a mechanism for a box to always be able to talk to itself and can be very useful to see, for example, if the network is configured correctly eventhough the underlying NIC's may not yet be properly configured or connected.

[HGN]

Hi

The loop back address as mentioned by Clay does not have any physical connection but it is a loop back to itself.

Rgds

HGN