[SLUG] Caching Name Server and Internal Hosts

[Peter Worboys <pworboys@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Slug List

I have just enabled a resolving caching name server on my RH6 box and am
having difficulties understanding the concept of the search criteria found
in the resolv.conf file. This seems to be working correctly.

>From the DNS-HOWTO I am under the impression that for my domain name
(awa.com.au) I should be able to add entries into  the hosts file for
local machines on the internal network.

host.conf is set :  order hosts,bind

resolv.conf is set:  search awa.com.au nameserver 127.0.0.1

nsswitch is set:  hosts:  files dns

hosts is set:  172.30.65.6  moose.awa.com.au

Under this configuration, the doco suggests that if I ping 'moose', then 
resolv.conf would search for 'moose.awa.com.au', then ask dns for that
address.

DNS would check the order via host.conf/nsswitch and first check the host
file and return the addr 172.30.65.6

What I actually see is DNS not checking the hosts file, but returning the
actual internet address of moose from our main nameserver.

Have I configured something wrong ? Do I have the basic procedure totally
confused. ?

In Short, What I am attempting to do is return the internal IP address of
our servers instead of the external addresses if the host name is configured
in the host file. I don't really want to set up a full blown DNS server if
I can help it.

Peter Worboys