IP Address for /etc/hosts when using DHCP

jimbo · 03-24-2004, 05:50 PM

I am trying to set up NFS on my home net work, 1 desktop 1 laptop both running RH9. My router is using DHCS. Both machines are now named localhost. I want to change names using hostname and /etc/hosts. What IP addresses should I use in /etc/hosts since the addresses change. There is also a windows machine getting an address from the router. Samba is running OK there.

AutOPSY · 03-24-2004, 06:32 PM

you should be able to add a line in the hosts file like
192.168.1.109 boscomputer bobscomputer.localdomain

for lan resolution.

pingswept · 03-25-2004, 02:47 PM

To be clear:

Pick anything of the form 192.168.1.xxx, where xxx is a number between 1 and 255 that isn't already in use. Your router is probably 192.168.1.1, and it probably starts allocating dynamic IPs at 192.168.1.100 and counts up (you can probably check this in its settings page).

jimbo · 03-25-2004, 11:57 PM

OK,

Thanks, that helps. Can I assume that any IP address within my router's range is OK? Or should I pick numbers which are unlikely to be assigned? ie my DHCP server is using
192.168.0.100 thru 192.168.0.199. Typically it assigns starting at the lowest number in the range and continues sequentially. Do I pick high numbers, or is it OK to use a number that is assigned to another host?

Thanks,

ugge · 03-27-2004, 02:31 PM

I would suggest using static IP addresses. Just because your router handles DHCP doesn't mean that you have to use it. The /etc/hosts are by design a static solution.
Your problem would be solved right away.

If you would like to still use DHCP then you would have to set up DDNS (Dynamic DNS) along side your DHCP server. That might not work with a home router.

The solution above might work, but it may stop work anytime.

jimbo · 03-27-2004, 06:59 PM

Yes, that sounds like the simplest solution. I was so locked in to solving a problem that I couldn't see that I could just side step the whole issue. Sort of like the adage, "can't see the forest for the trees". Thanks for the insight.

jimbo