The "Host File" option not available with Windows 7 Client

In the Novell Client Properties, "Name Services" tab, the available options are DNS, SLP, NCP, and DHCP. In the Novell Client for Windows XP/2003, the options included "Host File" as well.

The Novell Client for Windows Vista/7/2008 uses the Microsoft-provided DNS provider, instead of a Novell-proprietary provider, as was the case with the Novell Client for XP/2003. Windows has always considered the ETC/HOSTS file to be part of the DNS name resolution provider.  As such, the HOSTS file is always consulted first before making a DNS query on the wire.

So "host file" is always being used, and there is no way to separate it (except to the degree that Microsoft supports configuration of their own DNS provider).