"host" lookup of alias fails (nslookup works) 11.31 IPv6

[Steven Buschman_3]

We are testing name resolution of IPv6.
"nslookup" seems to fail for IPv6 but worrks for DNS aliases..
"host" works for IPv6, except not for DNS aliases, only the first hostname listed (regardless of IPv6) gets found.
I seem to caught without a solution.
OS: 11.31, March 2009 patch bundle.
nsswitch.conf told to continue:
# grep hosts /etc/nsswitch.conf
hosts: files [NOTFOUND=continue UNAVAIL=continue] nis [NOTFOUND=continue UNAVAIL=continue TRYAGAIN=continue] dns
# grep ipnodes /etc/nsswitch.conf
#ipnodes: files[NOTFOUND=continue UNAVAIL=continue TRYAGAIN=continue] dns
ipnodes: files
#
NOTE: "ipnodes" does not exist locally or in NIS/DNS.
-----
Here "host" fails aliases "nslookup" works:
# host zebrajunk
Host zebrajunk not found: 3(NXDOMAIN)
# host zebrajunk server 10.80.120.100
;; connection timed out; no servers could be reached
# nslookup zebrajunk 10.80.120.100
Name Server: blitzen.min.company.com
Address: 10.80.120.100
Trying DNS
Name: zebra.min.company.com
Address: 10.80.120.103
Aliases: zebrajunk.min.company.com
#
----------------
Here, host meets my IPv6 need but nslookup fails
# host esprit
esprit.min.company.com has address 10.80.153.225
esprit.min.company.com has IPv6 address fc44:53f9:cb30:120::99e1
# nslookup fc44:53f9:cb30:120::99e1
Using /etc/hosts on: barnes
looking up FILES
Trying NIS
Trying DNS
*** rmndns6.min.company.com can't find fc44:53f9:cb30:120::99e1: Non-existent domain
# host fc44:53f9:cb30:120::99e1
1.e.9.9.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.2.1.0.0.3.b.c.9.f.3.5.4.4.c.f.ip6.arpa domain name pointer esprit.min.company.com.
#

[VK2COT]

Hello,

a) I think host(1M) command consults /etc/resolv.conf. It is a DNS lookup
tool, so there is no need to check
/etc/nsswitch.conf at all.

b) Your entry for ipnodes directive is
incorrect.

If you plan to use DNS for IPv6, your entry
for ipnodes should include it. In fact,
the recommendation is to use the
same config for "hosts" and "ipnodes"
directives in /etc/nsswitch.conf.

c) The "ipnodes" directive might not be
supported in the future HP-UX releases.

Cheers,

VK2COT