# Using VM Names as DNS Names

When you start a virtual machine operating in the [shared](https://download.parallels.com/desktop/v19/docs/en_US/Parallels%20Desktop%20User's%20Guide/33341.htm) or [host-only](https://download.parallels.com/desktop/v19/docs/en_US/Parallels%20Desktop%20User's%20Guide/33342.htm) networking mode, and it gets an IP address assigned via DHCP, the virtual machine gets registered in the macOS *etc/hosts* file, and you can use its name to connect from the host operating system or other virtual machines operating in the [shared](https://download.parallels.com/desktop/v19/docs/en_US/Parallels%20Desktop%20User's%20Guide/33341.htm) or [host-only](https://download.parallels.com/desktop/v19/docs/en_US/Parallels%20Desktop%20User's%20Guide/33342.htm) networking mode.

For example, after starting such a virtual machine, your *etc/hosts* file may look as follows:

```
10.211.55.3     windows-11.shared windows-11 #prl_hostonly shared
```

You can use the virtual machine name (*windows-11.shared*) to connect to this virtual machine. For example, if you execute the following command in the macOS Terminal:

```
ping windows-11.shared
```

, you will start pinging 10.211.55.3.

When such a virtual machine is shut down, its registration entry is removed from the *etc/hosts* file.


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