Slow SSH, how do I set up a proper DNS config?

billy3 · 05-03-2007, 10:19 AM

Hi,

We have several linux boxes (SuSE 8.1, 9.3 and 10.1) and get delays when connecting to them by SSH, whether from Windows, OS X, or from one server to another. I added the IP address of one server (A) to another server's (B) hosts file, and then didn't get any delay in connecting from A to B.

However, I've read that this is more of a hack and not a proper solution. Also, this solution isn't practical either since we have many PCs and Macs which need to connect to the servers and can't add every IP to the hosts files.

I would greatly appreciate some guidance on what to do and how.

Thanks!

acid_kewpie · 05-03-2007, 10:31 AM

the probelm is ssh wants the hostname of the box which wants to be the client. you can either do what it's after and install a real dns server like bind, or there is an option in /etc/sshd_config, UseDNS, which when set to "no" doesn't bother trying to do it in the first place.

billy3 · 05-03-2007, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acid_kewpie

there is an option in /etc/sshd_config, UseDNS, which when set to "no" doesn't bother trying to do it in the first place.

I checked sshd_config. The UseDNS line is commented out. Do I have to explicitly set it to "no"? Will I have to restart the sshd after changing this setting?

acid_kewpie · 05-03-2007, 03:57 PM

yea, it's a yes by default. you could presumably just hup the daemon, but restarting it would definitely make it pick up the changes.