Introduction
Localhost and 127.0.0.1 are two terms that are often used interchangeably, but they are actually two different things. Localhost is a hostname that is used to refer to the local computer, while 127.0.0.1 is an IP address that is used to access the local computer. Both terms are used to access the local computer, but they are used in different ways. In this article, we will discuss the differences between localhost and 127.0.0.1, and how they are used.
Localhost vs. 127.0.0.1
Localhost and 127.0.0.1 are both loopback addresses that refer to the local computer. They are used to test network applications and services without the need for external networks. The only difference between them is that localhost is a hostname that is automatically translated to the loopback IP address of 127.0.0.1.
Introduction
Localhost is often considered synonymous with the IP address 127.0.0.1. Although they are functionally the same, there are substantial differences between localhost and 127.0.0.1.
Read on to learn the similarities and differences between these commonly used terms.
What’s the Difference Between localhost and 127.0.0.1?
Localhost is an alias used to refer to IP addresses reserved for loopback. While IPv4 uses the last block of class A addresses (from 127.0.0.1 to 127.255.255), IPv6 reserves the first (0:0:0:0:0:0:0:1 – or : :1, in short) as its loopback address.
Localhost does not refer exclusively to 127.0.0.1 but to a whole range of IP addresses reserved for loopback. It is also important to note you cannot always use 127.0.0.1 for loopback. IPv6 only systems do not respond to such requests since their localhost is linked to the address : :1.
The addresses mentioned above are default values used on a majority of systems. However, configuring the host file can easily link localhost with a different IP address, as this file contains the mappings of IP addresses to hostnames.
The image above shows the default settings. However, you can edit the host file and map localhost to a different IP address. Still, it is not recommended as it may crash local applications that rely on the localhost connection and break system functionality.
Hence, the address for localhost has to be looked up or resolved, whereas using 127.0.0.1 goes directly to that IP address.
Another significant difference between localhost and 127.0.0.1 is how the request is sent. The request does not go through the network card when pinging the loopback address with the localhost. On the other hand, running 127.0.0.1 does pass through the network card, which may be affected by firewall settings and configurations.
Conclusion
In this article, you learned that localhost and 127.0.0.1 are often interchangeable and give the same result, but we cannot say they are entirely synonymous.
To learn more about localhost and how loopback works, check out What Is 127.0.0.1 Localhost.
Localhost vs. 127.0.0.1
When it comes to networking, there are two terms that are often used interchangeably: localhost and 127.0.0.1. While they are both used to refer to the same thing, there are some subtle differences between the two.
What is Localhost?
Localhost is a hostname that is used to refer to the local computer that is being used. It is a way of referring to the computer’s own network interfaces. It is also used to refer to the local machine when accessing it remotely via a network.
What is 127.0.0.1?
127.0.0.1 is the IPv4 address of the localhost. It is the loopback address, meaning that any traffic sent to it is routed back to the local machine. It is commonly used for testing network applications, as it is a reliable and consistent address.
Differences Between Localhost and 127.0.0.1
The main difference between localhost and 127.0.0.1 is that localhost is a hostname, while 127.0.0.1 is an IP address. While they both refer to the same thing, they are used in different contexts. Localhost is used when referring to the local machine, while 127.0.0.1 is used when referring to the local machine’s IP address.
Conclusion
Localhost and 127.0.0.1 are both used to refer to the local machine, but they are used in different contexts. Localhost is a hostname, while 127.0.0.1 is an IP address. While they both refer to the same thing, they are used in different contexts. Understanding the differences between the two can help you better understand networking and how it works.
