Configuring with DHCP seems not to resolve the hostname

[Murthy Bhavaraju]

I have configured the system after a fresh install using DHCP. But the problem is that instead of looking up the localhosts the system tries to resolve the hostname via the ISP DNS which would defenitely fail. How can i force the system to look at the hosts file before using DHCP?

thanks

[G. Vrijhoeven · Accepted solution]

Hi,

Check the /etc/nsswitch.conf alter the hosts line to:
hosts: files [NOTFOUND=continue] dns

HTH,

Gideon

[A. Clay Stephenson]

Edit the file, /etc/nsswitch.conf. The hosts entry should look very much like this:

hosts: files [NOTFOUND=continue UNAVAIL=continue] dns

Man nsswitch.conf for details.

DNS and DHCP can be made to co-exist by using dynamic DNS; the DHCP server can be configured to update DNS "on the fly" as it hands out IP addresses.

[Murthy Bhavaraju]

I have been able to ping sites like google and stuff. But any command on the local machine seem to fail ( and ofcourse X would not start - gives an error "desktop messaging is not working")

[Murthy Bhavaraju]

Thanks. It does not seems to have the /etc/nsswitch file. Just by adding the line "hosts: files [NOTFOUND=continue UNAVAIL continue] dns" seems to have solved the problem.

Just by seeing the amount of confusion that prevails regarding the DNS/DHCP client issues on HP-UX, i am amazed that HP does nothing to even addess this issues.

Thanks guys! you were right on target!