Hostname Pinging Lin2Lin

[Yushatak]

I'm unable to access Linux Box A from Linux Box B. They can ping via IP. I don't understand.

I'd understand fine if this were Windows, as those are NETBIOS names typically, and that'd require SAMBA. However, is Linux truly as inconvenient as to not have a hostname access function similar in functionality to NETBIOS?

I've tried setting up DHCP/DNS via one of my two Linux PCs, and would probably get this solution working - one issue:
I've got a router that already performs these functions. For DHCP this matters not, because I can just set it up for the same subnet/etc., but for DNS I'd need some sort of request forwarding mechanism to forward non-local requests or any unknown requests to the router, which then forwards to the Comcast nameservers. I don't know enough about administering DNS on Linux to do such a thing, and any and all google searches have returned zip.

What I'm ultimately trying to accomplish is to get Synergy working, and I got sidetracked when I realized it wouldn't connect from my synergy client to the synergy server because of hostname resolution (I'd do IPs but I'd rather not bother setting static ones in the router's DHCP... I'll do that if this thread returns no palatable solutions...). Anyway somebody please help, this is becoming increasingly irritating. Between this and the widescreen issues I'm quickly becoming irritated with Kubuntu (which is currently my favorite distro...).

[crackers]

Re: Hostname Pinging Lin2Lin

Well, most home routers don't really do much with DNS for the internal network, so don't go "blaming" Linux.

For small networks, it's actually much easier to use static IPs. Some routers, when you enter the "name" of the computer associated with a static IP will actually DNS-translate that for you, but it depends on the router.

However, you can try using dnsmasq - it's a heckuva lot easier to setup than "regular" DHCP/DNS, and I believe will give you the amount of routing control you need.

[Luc]

Re: Hostname Pinging Lin2Lin

Quick guide( well sort of)

equipment:

Linux Box A = FreeNet1 (Web Server installed)
Linux Box B = FreeNet2
Linux Box C = FreeNet3

Home router is a LinkSys wrt54gs v.1.1
Router firmware is DD-WRT sp2

** You can use other routers and you may not need DD-WRT depending on the functions of the router you use.

Setup:

First set your host names as you desire. For this guide I'll use the ones listed above. To set your host names go to K-menu>System Settings once this has opened Click the icon for "Network Settings". Now click the button for "Administration Mode". You'll need to enter your password. After you are in Administration mode left click the Tab for "Domain Name System". In the text box next to "Host Name" enter the name for that computer. If it's your first Linux Box we would enter "FreeNet1" in the box. Press apply and then Close the window. Now you can either open a console windows and restart the networking sub-system or simply reboot your computer. Repeat this for each computer you want to set-up this way.

Now I'll assume you already have the router installed and working normally. If you don't please consult http://www.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv2/index.php for more information on DD-WRT and the routers it supports.

If you have one system set up with a Web server for testing purposes you should now be able to open your browser and in the address bar simple enter "freenet1" or what ever box you have it installed on to test and see if you can connect. There is no need to set up static Ip's in this configuration. But if you wanted to you could do it fairly easy in DD-WRT.

Hope you enjoy this some what quick guide.

[Yushatak]

Re: Hostname Pinging Lin2Lin

I can't be totally certain, but I think this DD-WRT is for Linksys only... I've got a NETGEAR 802.11g router.

[Luc]

Re: Hostname Pinging Lin2Lin

DD-WRT is not only for Linksys. Please see the supported devices page at:

http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Supported_Devices

Also you could have a visit to http://www.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv2/index.php and stop by the forums if you have questions about DD-WRT and if your router is or may be supported.

If you have some extra cash you can look around for a supported router that's cheap and flash it yourself. Just be sure to consult the supported devices page and see what you may getting. Rule of thumb try to find one with the most ram and a big flash memory.

[Yushatak]

Re: Hostname Pinging Lin2Lin

I'd really rather not flash my WiFi router. Not that I'm afraid, but I just don't want to bother. I've also only got Kubuntu on one box now. Anyway, my question now reads "Why can't Vista ping my Linux box by hostname?".

And no, I don't want to edit my hosts file, or have a DNS server. Is there a NetBIOS name answerer for *nix? Perhaps I already know the answer to this, should I just be installing SAMBA on my *nix PCs?