Search .local for name resolution

Osiris · 2017-11-11 12:57:34

Hello,

Some basic questions on network name configuration in a home network. I have three machines, two with NetworkManager, one with systemd-networkd. All are running avahi, no other name resolution is involved.

The relevant line in /etc/nsswitch.conf

hosts: files mymachines mdns_minimal [NOTFOUND=return] resolve [!UNAVAIL=return] dns myhostname

* What does the "resolve" does?

All machines can find each other using hostname.local.

* How can I make them find each other without using .local everytime?

Adding "local" as additional search domain in network manager (resulting in "search local" in resolv.conf) does not help.

In /etc/hosts there is only localhost configured.

# hostnamectl 
   Static hostname: horus
         Icon name: computer-desktop
           Chassis: desktop
        Machine ID: f556b30e126647ac90aff3993b9f1aac
           Boot ID: 97199557f41248969c9454e7bee22f89
  Operating System: Arch Linux
            Kernel: Linux 4.13.11-1-ARCH
      Architecture: x86-64

IP addresses are hand out by my ISPs routers DHCP server. I'm not sure, whether a hostname / domain is also set this way.

What is the correct way to set the hostname and also search the .local domain?

Best Thanks!

Last edited by Osiris (2017-11-11 13:04:43)

seth · 2017-11-11 15:39:40

Afaik: "Not"

The .local domain is a hardcoded setting that tells the system: use mdns to resolve this host. You can reconfigure it but that'll likely just cause trouble (at least with iOS)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.local

The "solution" is to not use mdns but a DNS server that handles your local hosts, eg. a dnsmasq implementation in your router (while I'd not hold my breath to see the ISP provided junk support offer this) or some other local dns server.
Otherwise you'll have to distribute host files ...

Arch Linux

#1 2017-11-11 12:57:34

Search .local for name resolution

#2 2017-11-11 15:39:40

Re: Search .local for name resolution

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