[cobalt-users] dns on raq4

["Dean Hall" <dean@xxxxxxxxx>]

>
> I have a question about the Network screen. If our RAQ4 is
> running its own DNS, what do I
> put in the Network screen DNS entry, the RAQ's address, or the
> localhost address? Also,

You should be able to use either, however, the GUI won't accept localhost
(127.0.0.1) as a valid address (at least on my RaQ4), so use the RaQ's
address.


> where does Sendmail go for DNS? The Network screen DNS entry?
Short (simplistic) answer: yes, the network screen DNS entry.

Longer answer:  the GUI DNS service screen fills in the primary and
secondary servers into /etc/resolv.conf.  If you are using DNS, this file is
actually points to which DNS servers you are using.

It is possible not to use DNS for host name, IP addr resolution.  The file
/etc/nsswitch.conf actually determines that.  The RaQ4 default file has this
line (among many others):
hosts:      files nisplus nis dns

Now when a program (like sendmail) does gethostbyaddr() or gethostbyname(),
they will look at this line to determine where to get the info.  First
"files" would be checked.  That's /etc/hosts.  If the name or address wasn't
answered, next nisplus, then nis, then finally dns, would be checked. The
order could be changed, and selections omitted.

There's more to the subject, but that's all for now.


----
Dean Hall at Tactix  ( dean@xxxxxxxxxx )
503 520-9699  fax 503 469-9740
  http://www.tactix.com