I'm in way over my head on this project. I think its what I don't know I don't know (not a typo...think about it :})) to the point that I don't know if this can even be done.

I have setup a home network (Debian etch) with a virtual web server for my own web development (using webmin to manage) and practice. The first time I setup webmin (apt-get) I was able to use "https://ServerName:10000/" to gain access to webmin. From then on I have to use my intranet address, you know 192.168.0.?. I liked the "serverName" because my server could get a different address from my router but "serverName" would still go my virtual web server.

Question: Can I create access with the "nameServer" without using a specific IP address, like a static address? If possible, what is the simplest way to do this?

If I could figure out what happens after I restart the computer that prevents the "serverName" from being recognized, I think I could answer my own questions. Just not smart enough.

Cheers :})

On the machine you are trying to access FROM, edit /etc/hosts and add a line

IP.ADDRESS.GOES.HERE servername

Don't play around with the existing lines

Edit - on reflection, maybe I misread. I think what you need is a DNS (nameserver) talking to your DHCP server (or on the same machine), to keep track of the new IP. If you're DHCP is your router, you may be stuffed. To get around that you may need to set a DNS/DHCP combo up.

A DNS is effictivley and index of names and IPs. Nothing is "stopping" this, you just don't have the indexing working. However, because you're using DHCP, you need the DHCP server to tell the DNS what the IP/Name combinations are when addresses are assigned. That's your problem

Another thought - your router may allow you to set a fixed IP for a particular machine (by MAC maybe?). This would enable you to use the hosts method I suggested first.

Billy
Thanks very much for your quick response. I edited 'hosts' but still does not recognize "serverName", only ip address: 192.168.1.?

I did some reading on this forum before I posted. And I installed 'bind dns server' and tried a few things. Dns seems to be overkill for what I want. Everything I could see required an ip address. My router does allow the use of a MAC address for id, but still requires an ip address. Adding the line to the hosts file seemed a really easy solution, I wished it had worked.

Later!

Why are the simple solutions so hard to see? I started setting up a second server box and as usual, tried to uninstall excess baggage. Noticed right after I removed the samba and smb modules that "ServerName" stopped working. Reinstalled modules and no more problem! I believe the root of the issue lies with this being a home network with virtual or test server that doesn't use a dns to resolve names. I wonder if a module or app could be written to mimic a dns in such a test environment?

Many thanks, billymayday!

:})