Mapping Hostnames When Using DHCP

[Jack Waugh]

I can do this:

$ hostname
jack-ntbk
$ ssh inspiron.local
Linux inspiron 2.6.32-24-generic-pae #39-Ubuntu SMP Wed Jul 28 07:39:26 UTC 2010 i686 GNU/Linux
Ubuntu 10.04.1 LTS

Welcome to Ubuntu!

...

What configuration variables do I have to check on both machines to come to an understanding of why it is that when I cite "inspiron.local" as an argument to "ssh", I get connected to my other computer instead of an error message? How is the mapping from host name to IP# happening?

The computers are connected via Ethernet (via a USB-to-Ethernet adaptor in the case of the Inspiron) to the LAN side of an ordinary home router (an SMC) that is configured to serve DHCP.

"jack-ntbk" was initialized from an Ubuntu Server 10.04.1 CD and then I loaded Lubuntu-desktop on it.

"inspiron" has no desktop software, just server. I started dhclient on it manually, with no args.

[papibe]

That is the result of running the 'zero configuration network' tool named avahi.

Probably your /etc/nsswitch.conf file has a line like this:

hosts:          files mdns4_minimal [NOTFOUND=return] dns mdns4

That rules read something like this: to translate names into IPs first use files (basically /etc/hosts), then use avahi, then use your DNS (probably your router).

Is that help?
Regards.

[Jack Waugh]

Yes, papibe, your response is very helpful; thank you.

I suppose for avahi publication of hostnames to work, it has to be running on both machines: the one whose hostname I want to see, and the one from which I want to see it.

[papibe]

That is correct.

You can check if avahi is running by either running:

$ sudo service avahi-daemon status

o this:

$ ps aux | grep avahi

Regards.