---
name: "phones"
section: "5"
platform: "freebsd"
package: "base"
version: "16.0-CURRENT-20261027-61c70dc16a79"
release: "FreeBSD 16.0-CURRENT (2026-10-27)"
platforms: ["freebsd"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/phones"
---

# phones(5)

remote host phone number data base

## NAME

**phones** – remote host phone number data base

## DESCRIPTION

The file */etc/phones* contains the system-wide private phone numbers for the [tip(1)](/tip/1.md) program. This file is normally unreadable, and so may contain privileged information. The format of the file is a series of lines of the form: \<system-name\>\[ \\t\]\*\<phone-number\>. The system name is one of those defined in the [remote(5)](/remote/5.md) file and the phone number is constructed from any sequence of characters terminated only by \`\`,'' or the end of the line. The \`\`='' and \`\`\*'' characters are indicators to the auto call units to pause and wait for a second dial tone (when going through an exchange). The \`\`='' is required by the DF02-AC and the \`\`\*'' is required by the BIZCOMP 1030.

Only one phone number per line is permitted. However, if more than one line in the file contains the same system name [tip(1)](/tip/1.md) will attempt to dial each one in turn, until it establishes a connection.

## FILES

- */etc/phones*

  ## SEE ALSO

[tip(1)](/tip/1.md), [remote(5)](/remote/5.md)

## HISTORY

The **phones** file appeared in 4.2BSD.