2. The strategy

Linuxconf makes a small check with the DNS before trying to further configure the machine. It probes the DNS and waits for four seconds. It then reports an error if the DNS has failed to answer within this period. Here are different techniques to support this strategy:

• You should have good network connectivity with your DNS. The DNS may be either located on the local Ethernet network, or right on the other side of a PPP link.
• If no DNS is available near your network, it is better to setup a caching DNS on your machine. Linuxconf does this automatically when you create a DNS with it.
• DNS problems are probably the most difficult problems to track or identify for new users. Try to detect any problems quickly. item>A DNS does not fail often. When something is wrong with the DNS, the effect is so pervasive, however, that a user may believe his machine is either hung or broken.