127.0.0.1 Loopback

I understand what 127.0.01 Is. I understand how it works.

I'm using Debian 6.05, and I have configured the machine to listen to all IP addresses.

What I don't know is can the loopback IP be changed to an Ip that can be recognized by other computers other than the web-server?

If I'm wrong, and I'm supposed to leave the IP configured as 127.0.01 in /etc/hosts and configure my actual IP somewhere else then please let me know.


Basically, I'm trying to make my web-server accessible by computers other than the server.

I'm thinking I should alter the hosts file. If that is correct what should I change 127.0.0.1 to? The server is by itself. It is not on a network, and is not part of a subnet. So I'm just trying manually give it it's own accesible IP address.

Thanks.

The 127 address is tied to the loopback network adapter which doesn't actually exist. It is a virtual network adapter on the computer. As such no other computer can access it.

If you have your web server setup to listen on all IP addresses you would access the server using the IP of the physical ethernet adapter (or wireless adapter if you are using wireless). So if you run the ifconfig, the address for eth0 is the one you want to use. The 'lo' one is the loopback.

What is the point of having multiple hosts in the host file with different loopback Ip addresses? Must they be loopback IPs?