> Start with /etc/nsswitch.conf and change the "hosts:" line [...] > Then make sure the IP address of your local system (PC, etc) is in the > /etc/hosts file of the target server. [...] > Now test [...] Some people -- I'm one -- would run the test first, and then, if the test results suggest that it might be helpful, start looking at applying various potential fixes. The test can be run without fiddling with any files (which may not need any fiddling). > It should return immediately. If not, one (or more) of the DNS > server(s) listed in /etc/resolv.conf is not working. Really? The problem couldn't reside in some _other_ DNS server? You must know more about the client system here than I do. (Which would be easy, because, with my weak psychic powers, I know approximately nothing about it.)