The gethostent() function reads the next entry of the hosts database file (TCPIP$ETC:IPNODES.DAT). See the NETDB.H header file for a description of the hostent structure. The gethostent() function uses a common static area for its return values. Therefore, subsequent calls to gethostent() overwrite any existing host entry. You must make a copy of the host entry, if you wish to save it.