localhost not found

mcs · 07-06-2008, 04:44 AM

Dear All,

I am getting quite desperate, have never experienced anything like this before. I tried to install an openexchange server on a debian stable and in the process, I need to start mysql. After some investigation, I believe the reason is mysql cannot resolve localhost. So first things first, I then do

Code:

ping localhost

I get

Code:

ping: unknown host localhost

Now of course I look at my /etc/hosts

Code:

127.0.0.1 localhost localhost.localdomain
# The following lines are desirable for IPv6 capable hosts
#::1 ip6-localhost ip6-loopback
#fe00::0 ip6-localnet
#ff00::0 ip6-mcastprefix
#ff02::1 ip6-allnodes
#ff02::2 ip6-allrouters
#ff02::3 ip6-allhosts

I have disabled bind9 and tried all possible and impossible versions of /etc/hosts, but this time I am really lost. It appears as if /etc/hosts is not used in the resolution???

Any ideas very much appreciated!
Cheers
Michael

druuna · 07-06-2008, 05:01 AM

Hi,

Just a thought: Take a look at your /etc/nsswitch.conf file and look for the line that starts with hosts:. The rest of the line should read something like: files dns.

Your /etc/hosts entry for 127.0.0.1 looks ok (I do assume this is the only line that has the localhost token in it).

Not much to go on, but I hope this helps.

Mr. C. · 07-06-2008, 05:01 AM

cat /etc/nsswitch.conf

Mr. C. · 07-06-2008, 05:05 AM

Two other possibilities:

1) file permissions.
The file should be 444 or 644.

2) you used an editor that changed Unix line terminators with DOS terminators.
Run vi on the file, and type:
:set ff

If it comes back and says DOS, that's your problem. Set the file format to Unix.

:set ff unix
:wq

to write and quit.

mcs · 07-06-2008, 05:28 AM

Dear all,

Absolutely great replies!!!!!
The /etc/nsswitch.conf file did not contain the hosts: entry.
I changed it and now it is fine. Posting a bit earlier would have saved me a lot of grief!!!
Thank you very much again!!!!

Cheers

Michael