TCP/IP settings file
File type: Settings, options, themes or skins file
A .netrc file is a plain-text TCP/IP settings file used by IBM AIX. It stores information for automatic login by the rexec and ftp commands.
File type category:
Settings, options, themes or skins file
Date updated: October 12, 2026
The .netrc file extension identifies a settings file used by TCP/IP network support facilities in IBM AIX, a Unix operating system.
The $HOME/.netrc file is a hidden file in the user's home directory. It contains information used by the automatic login features of the rexec and ftp commands. The file must be owned by either the user running the command or the root user. If it contains a login password, its permissions must be set to 600 so that only the owner can read or write it.
These files are not used by programs when the AIX securetcpip command is running on the system.
A .netrc file is a plain-text file and can be opened or edited with a text editor on AIX. The file is normally read automatically by the supported rexec and ftp commands rather than opened through a graphical application.
A .netrc file is a plain-text settings file and is not normally converted to another format.
Software apps that manage or store settings in netrc files:
Linux/Unix
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