/etc/hosts

iftiuk · 05-18-2004, 11:43 AM

A generic question. When /etc/hosts is modified, does the computer needs a reboot? How does it know that there is a new information in this file.

Thanks

Muzzy · 05-18-2004, 12:31 PM

The changes take effect immediately:

Code:

# ping squiggle
ping: unknown host squiggle
# echo "192.168.0.3 squiggle" >> /etc/hosts
ping squiggle
PING squiggle (192.168.0.3) 56(84) bytes of data.
64 bytes from squiggle (192.168.0.3): icmp_seq=1 ttl=64 time=0.160 ms
64 bytes from squiggle (192.168.0.3): icmp_seq=2 ttl=64 time=0.139 ms

I guess it checks the file modification date or something?

LuggerHouse · 05-18-2004, 01:03 PM

Ping or anyother soft wich need to do DNS resolution wont check the timestamp of /etc/hosts. It reads it every time, that is it. :-) The order of DNS resolution can be configured in /etc/nsswitch with enbtries like

hosts: db files nisplus nis dns

Meaning where to look at to get DNS Resolution.

adm1329 · 05-18-2004, 01:03 PM

I don't think it checks to see when the file was modified, I think it actually checks the hosts file anytime you request something to make see if it's there before querying dns.