Very Computer

If a machine has multiple network interfaces, how should the
/etc/hosts
file be set up?

Do we need to have multiple names for the machine?
Should only one of the ip addresses be listed?

How about on a machine that listens on more than one
ip address on a single interface?

It is not strictly necessary to put the host name(s) and addresses
in /etc/hosts, although it is sometimes helpful, especially if your
system is ever rebooted without a working network or resolver
service.

You do not need multiple names for the system.

Whether the additional addresses are on separate physical interfaces
or all aliases on one interface doesn't really matter as far
as /etc/hosts entries are concerned.

It is OK to have /etc/hosts look like this:

127.0.0.1 localhost
10.0.0.1  me me.example.com
10.0.0.2  me me.example.com
10.0.0.3  me me.example.com

...where you repeat the same name for different addresses.

--Paul

Quote:> It is OK to have /etc/hosts look like this:

> 127.0.0.1 localhost
> 10.0.0.1  me me.example.com
> 10.0.0.2  me me.example.com
> 10.0.0.3  me me.example.com

> ...where you repeat the same name for different addresses.

Ok. I was just playing around with this. It seems like the first
one is the one used when resolving the name. ie, if I said:

ping me

it would start pinging 10.0.0.1

Yes, but it really doesn't matter to the FreeBSD box.
Even if interface #1 is down it'll still be able to reach
that address - it should be basically just as reliable as
pinging the loopback.

I would run BIND9
www.isc.org

Peace,
Phil

Quote:> If a machine has multiple network interfaces, how should the
> /etc/hosts
> file be set up?

> Do we need to have multiple names for the machine?
> Should only one of the ip addresses be listed?

> How about on a machine that listens on more than one
> ip address on a single interface?