Fedora core3: host name lookup failure
 

Hi All,

I have a linux server running Fedore3 (yes, it needs update). I can't reach outside hosts by hostname but I can reach them by their IP address. Some examples to explain the problem more clearly.

If machine A has hostname somename.somedomain.org with IP xxx.xx.xx.x.
> ping somename.domain.org (failed)
ping: unknown host somename.somedomain.org
> ping xxx.xx.xx.x (Successful with the following message)
PING xxx.xx.xx.x (xxx.xx.xx.x) 56(84) bytes of data.
64 bytes from xxx.xx.xx.x: icmp_seq=0 ttl=64 time=1.73 ms
64 bytes from xxx.xx.xx.x: icmp_seq=1 ttl=64 time=0.115 ms
64 bytes from xxx.xx.xx.x: icmp_seq=2 ttl=64 time=0.124 ms

However, sendmail is working to some user@yahoo.com

Could anyone know how to fix this problem?
I appreciate your help very much! Thanks a lot!

carrie

A LOT of this depends on your network, and your environment. The short answer is, your DNS server(s) aren't working or answering you, or you don't have them set up.

If you're using DHCP, the DNS information is part of what gets set up when your system requests an address. If you're using a static IP, you have to set up this DNS server information in your /etc/resolv.conf file. Also, once its set up, you have to make sure you have a default route set up, so things know where to go.

If you're in a home environment, you probably use DHCP through your home router, out to the internet. Either your ISP is having DNS issues, or your router needs to be reset. Office environment? Check with your network admins, they should know DNS/routing info for whatever VLAN your machine is on.

Thank you very much. I found out there is a typo error in the /etc/resolve.conf where it wrote a wrong IP address. I changed it and it is now working.

thanks again!

Carrie