Something is overwriting my /etc/resolv.con

cov · 10-30-2009, 02:35 PM

Periodically I stop being able to browse the Internet because some application rewrites my /etc/resolv.comf.

Initially this was Networkmanager, but I've installed wicd which apparently removes networkmanager.

Any idea which program it is and how to stop it?

tothzp · 10-30-2009, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cov

Periodically I stop being able to browse the Internet because some application rewrites my /etc/resolv.comf.

Initially this was Networkmanager, but I've installed wicd which apparently removes networkmanager.

Any idea which program it is and how to stop it?

This typically happens if you run a DHCP client that periodically renews the DHCP lease and together with that it gets the search entries for your resolv.conf.
If so, you can configure the dhcp client to not request/ignore some data from the DHCP server.

cov · 10-30-2009, 03:40 PM

Yes, that sounds likely.

I'll have to google a little, I guess...

salasi · 10-31-2009, 03:36 AM

This is such a common requirement that there is actually a system call for doing it properly (which is to manage a stack of resolv.confs and not simply overwrite the current one)... As well as DHCP, PPP can do this.

Usually, if you look at the changed resolv.conf there is a comment included telling you which program required it to be done. Is that not true here?

cov · 10-31-2009, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by salasi

This is such a common requirement that there is actually a system call for doing it properly (which is to manage a stack of resolv.confs and not simply overwrite the current one)... As well as DHCP, PPP can do this.

Usually, if you look at the changed resolv.conf there is a comment included telling you which program required it to be done. Is that not true here?

No, not currently.

When NetworkManager was installed it did indeed issue a comment acknowledging that the resolv.conf had been rewritten and claiming responsibility, but currently no app is owning up.

I've actually allocated myself a static IP now anyway, which solves the problem.

tothzp · 02-20-2010, 03:23 PM

Hi,

Look at the manpage of dhclient.conf, look for the supersede option modifier.
E.g. to keep your default search line, use option domain-search.

E.g.

Quote:

supersede domain-search "myserver1.com", "myserver2.com";