You can use a hosts file or a domain name server to resolve
host names and IP addresses on a stand-alone or distributed deployment.
Resolving host names with a DNS server
If you are using a name server or DNS server
to resolve host names, the host name must be configured on the DNS
server. The host name you configure on the DNS server must also match
the host name configured in the operating system.
- To check the host name on the operating system, in a command prompt,
type:
hostname
For example: If the
computer is
ibm1, the system displays the following
result:
ibm1
- Verify the computer name information:
- Right-click My Computer.
- Click Properties.
- Click the Computer Name tab.
- Verify that the Full computer name field
displays the fully qualified domain name of the computer. For example ibm1.example.com
Note: To
view the NetBIOS name for the local computer, click Change,
then click More. Alternatively, in a command
prompt, type nbtstat -n.
- Check the host name configured on the DNS server. Run the following
command:
nslookup host_name
Where host_name is
the host name.
The nslookup command returns
the fully qualified domain name configured on the DNS server. For
example: ibm1.example.com.
- Check that the host is responding. You can run the following command:
ping host_name
Where host_name is
the host name.
Note: In some environments, the ping command
might fail if the computer is configured to ignore ping requests.
Check with your network administrator for alternative ways, if the
problem persists.
Resolving host names with a hosts file
Domain names or IP addresses
on a local computer can be resolved by adding entries in the local
hosts file on a computer. Entries in the local hosts file have the
added advantage that the system can run the application server, even
when disconnected from the network. If you are using a hosts file
to resolve IP addresses, the file must be configured correctly.
The location of the hosts file for:
- Windows
- SystemDrive:\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc\
- Linux
- /etc/hosts
The file must include the following information:
- The IP address, fully qualified domain name, and the host name
of the computer.
- The IP address 127.0.0.1, the fully qualified
domain name localhost.localdomain, and the host name localhost.
For example: for a computer with a host name
ibm1,
the hosts file might contain the following entries:
#IP address Fully Qualified Domain Name Short Name
102.54.11.38 ibm1.example.com ibm1
127.0.0.1 localhost.localdomain localhost