# Naming Methods Configuration, Host Name

Host naming allows users to connect to an Oracle server by using a host name alias. Host names are mapped to the server's global database name in an existing names resolution service, such as Domain Name System (DNS), Network Information Service (NIS), or a centrally-maintained set of `/etc/hosts` files.

The connection is established by using the default TCP/IP port for the listener, that is, port 1521. Multiple databases per node and database location transparency are supported through matching global database names with host name aliases.

Host naming is effective for small, TCP/IP based networks.

| See Also: Chapter 6, Configuring Naming Methods, in the Net8 Administrator's Guide for more information about configuring the host naming method