[SOLVED] Do I need a DNS Server?

Brian Murphy · 09-04-2011, 08:22 AM

I have a home network with 2 Ubuntu LAMPS Servers 11.04, 1 Ubuntu 11.04 with gui. I am playing / learning PHP and Mysql, as well as server administration.

Currently I have to type in "192.168.0.2/firstphp" to get to the first php/html page I wrote. I am trying to set up my server on static ip 192.168.0.2 so I can type "myphpsite,com/firstphp" to view that page.

I have read on Bind9 in the Ubuntu Server Guide. I am unsure that it is the right way. I do not want my boxes on the net, only local.

Thank You,

lydiaXr · 09-04-2011, 08:49 AM

You don't need a DNS server to do that. You can modify your /etc/hosts file to include a line like the following:

127.0.0.1 myphpsite.com

That will point requests for myphpsite.com to your local Apache install. If you wish to get to an Apache install on a different box, include something like this:

192.168.0.2 myphpsite.com

Brian Murphy · 09-04-2011, 09:08 AM

I tried that. I have a problem. There is an actual site on the net, "myphpsite.com" my web browser tries to go there. I will reconfigure apache and hosts file to a name not on the net and try it.

lydiaXr · 09-04-2011, 09:16 AM

Hm, works just fine for me and lots of others.

What distro? What are the contents of /etc/resolv.conf? Check /etc/host.conf to see if hosts is listed first or bind in the 'order' line.

Brian Murphy · 09-04-2011, 09:32 AM

Ok... New site created... "bphpsite.com". /etc/hosts updated "127.0.0.1 bphpsite.com" "192.168.0.2 bphpsite.com"

When I type "bphpsite.com/firstphp" into my internet explorer bar, it takes me to my ISP search engine.

I did neglect to mention I am using a laptop, windows 7, connected wirelessly to view my webpages.... Internet Explorer (64 Bit).

Brian Murphy · 09-04-2011, 09:42 AM

/etc/resolv.conf

domain domain_not_set.invalid
search domain_not_set.invalid
nameserver 192.168.0.1
nameserver 216.165.129.158

/etc/host.conf
order host,bind
multi on

Thank You for your help

Brian Murphy · 09-04-2011, 09:43 AM

Distro is Ubuntu 11.04

michaelk · 09-04-2011, 10:08 AM

For a windows PC to resolve IP addresses to URLs you need to add an entry it it's lmhosts file. lmhosts is the equiv of /etc/hosts.

Brian Murphy · 09-04-2011, 10:25 AM

Do I understand right? If I am using my windows 7 laptop as a client, to access my server, I have to update my Imhosts file on the laptop?

michaelk · 09-04-2011, 10:39 AM

Yes, so the laptop will be able to resolve the servers IP address from the URL bphpsite.com.

Brian Murphy · 09-06-2011, 11:37 PM

Been busy with life, now back to my problem.

Afraid to mess with my windows 7 laptop.
I moved to Ubuntu 11.04 desktop, IP address192.168.0.25, assigned DHCP from DSL modem/router.
Added "192.168.0.2 bphpsite.com",without the quotes......
Typed "bphpsite.com/firstphp" into browser address bar..... still went to the net, not to my LAMPS box.
Typed "192.168.0.2/firstphp" into browser address bar.... went to LAMPS box....

My resolv.conf and host.conf are in previous posts....

Brian Murphy · 09-09-2011, 08:34 PM

Ok... I figured my problem out. It was me!

I did something wrong in Apache. I tried typing "192.168.0.2/bphpsite/firstphp" into my web browser. It displayed my page!

I want to thank everyone that tried to help. It was nota wasted effort, as it increased my knowledge.

Thanks!