How to name a linux box?

tejpatil · 10-03-2004, 01:23 PM

Hi All,

I have redhat linux 9.0 on my desktop. I want configure it in such a way that I want to access it from my laptop using a name, not an IP address. Since I am new to this I am not sure how to do this. Could you please help me in doing this.

Thanks,
Tejpatil

qwijibow · 10-06-2004, 06:28 AM

there are 2 ways.... the hard way is to setup a local dns server.
the easy way is to edit the file /etc/hosts.

for example, my /etc/hosts file is....

Code:

127.0.0.1       localhost
192.168.0.1     tyler.durden.net      tyler
192.168.0.2     marla.singer.net     marla

so if i give the name "tyler" or "tyler.drden.net" the program will use the ip address 192.168.0.1 (the address of my local server)

akilles · 10-06-2004, 06:28 AM

Your best bet is to set up DNS server.
The best tutorial I have seen so far is: http://www.linuxhomenetworking.com/l...dns-static.htm
This was relatively easy, and the best part is: It's written for users of RedHat systems.
(I had no problems adapting it to Slackware though.)

Best regards
Geir O.

qwijibow · 10-06-2004, 12:47 PM

but like i said, thats the hard way. if you have a few hundred computers on your network, then yes.. DNS !
but i get the impression this guy has 2 or maybe 3 machines.

akilles · 10-07-2004, 03:41 AM

You're right. For a few computers, the hosts file is the way to go. If you have many computers, or wish to broaden your skills, DNS is the way to go. ( I have 2 workstations and a server. The server is running DNS, just to see if I could get it running.)

David the H. · 10-07-2004, 09:20 AM

BTW, All machines in the network have to have pretty much the same hosts file, which is what makes it so difficult for large networks. If any of the machines is Windows, you'll find the hosts file for it in C:\Windows\hosts. It works exactly the same way.