Find hostname with IP address

[Ullrich Rieger]

Hi,

Is there a way to tell the hostname of a host from a given IP address? A solution that works within the LAN would be sufficient.

TIA
Ully

[Mark van Hassel]

Ullrich,

This is possible when you have a IP-hostname database such as the /etc/hosts file or an DNS server. The command you can use is:
nslookup [IP or hostname]

[Michael Duthie]

Try using "nslookup"

eg #nslookup 192.1.1.1

This will check the default ip resolution table usually /etc/hosts, DNS or NIS.

[Rainer von Bongartz]

You will have to set up a DNS server (bind services) on your HP box for example.
point your clients (UNIX file /etc/resolv.conf, NT Network settings) to use this DNS server.
the command to ask DNS for an ip-address of a box in your network then will be nslookup (UNIX and NT)

look at the DNS cook-book at
http://www.troubleshooters.com/tpromag/9811/dns.htm

[Magdi KAMAL]

Hi Ullrich,

nslookup command allow you by giving it either a hostname or an IP address to give you :

hostname, ip address and aliases.

You need to set the file /etc/nsswitch.conf with the following entry :
hosts: files[NOTFOUND=continue UNAVAIL=continue] dns [NOTFOUND=return UNAVAIL=continue TRYAGAIN=return]

this scanes first /etc/hosts file and then DNS.
You may do the inverse ( dns then /etc/hosts ) by putting dns first and then hosts in the file /etc/nsswitch.conf.

Magdi

[Ravi_8]

Hi,
using 'nslookup' it's possible, but you need to have nis server and DNS entry for all system in your LAN. otherwise it wouldn't.

[Harinath N]

Hi Ullrich,

First of all you should have some data resource for resolving things, ie., either /etc/hosts file on your system or an DNS database in your network. The entry in /etc/hosts file should be like,

IP Hostname (Alias Name-if needed)

Then you have to edit the /etc/nsswitch.conf file and make required entry. If you want to resolve IP to Hostname and vice-versa you can use nslookup.

Regards,
N.Harinath.