IIS Multiple Host Header sites

Hi, I'm trying to set up different sites using host headers on a standalone server. This is just for dev and testing but I'd like a few different sites. I can't seem to get it to work with host headers though. The only internet connection is a dial-up which may be on or off at different times while I am working on the sites. Usual error is something like
Cannot find server or DNS Error
Internet Explorer

Windows 2000 server, IIS 5
Do I need a DNS or could it be done with the host file?
Any help appreciated.

I don't understand your question.

Sorry if it's not to clear. I have w2k server running but it's not a permanent internet connection I only dial-up when I need to.

I've created a few websites in the IIS but can't seem to access them when I set them up with Host Headers.
I can get them to work as different ports under the default web site.

Eg http://mysite does not work using port 80 and host header setup. Ip unassigned
http://localhost:81 works using port 81 and no host header.

It's no big problem as they are only for my our testing/training but it's bugging me why I can't get them to work.

Do I need a DNS set up locally to use Host Headers.

Thanks for your help

As far as I know host headers look at the incoming browser url request. If your connection is referenced by ip, not a dns name, I don't think host headers can work.

Hi,

You have to specify the host header in your client host file as your browser can't resolve the IP of http://mysite. Then, after testing and going live you have to add this mysite record to a DNS server that's reachable by your client.

Mido

Thanks for the help