Name server specification 11.. TTaasskkss You must specify a name server (by IP number). This IP address allows your workstation to find and query the name server. The name server provides translations from machine names to IP numbers. You are allowed to specify up to three name servers. The second one is used if the first fails and so on. Note that if the first fails, you will experience noticeable timeouts (delays). You may also set a domain name here. This domain will be appended each time you do a name lookup. This saves you from continually having to provide the full name. Search domains are like the default domain, but you are allowed to set six possibilities. Be aware that search domains take precedence over the default domain. So if you use this feature, you are defeating the default domain. Search domains are seldom used and will generate extra traffic between your station and the DNS. This may be important if the DNS is far away. 22.. TToo DDNNSS oorr nnoott There are two alternatives to the _D_N_S: /etc/hosts and _N_I_S (Network Information System). /etc/hosts may be used on simple networks. You must manually synchronize all /etc/hosts files on each machine on the network. _N_I_S is a good alternative. It goes further than the _D_N_S as it also manages user accounts and passwords. It can be used at the same time as the _D_N_S (See "search path for host name" in the "_N_e_t_w_o_r_k _c_o_n_f_i_g_u_r_a_t_o_r" menu). Given that _L_i_n_u_x_c_o_n_f does not manage NIS servers yet, setting a _D_N_S on your network and pointing all machines to it is a good idea. It is also a good idea because at some future date, you will connect your network to the Internet (with or without an intervening firewall). Then, you will need to point to a _D_N_S server anyway. Yours will be just fine. 33.. FFiieelldd ddeessccrriippttiioonnss 33..11.. TThhee ffiieellddss nneeeeddeedd bbyy DDNNSS ffoorr nnoorrmmaall ooppeerraattiioonn Standalone machines will generally not use a _D_N_S, unless they connect to a larger network once in a while. Even then, they may use a _D_N_S on this larger network. _L_i_n_u_x_c_o_n_f checks at different times (boot time for one) for _D_N_S connectivity. If the _D_N_S fails to answer after a few seconds, _L_i_n_u_x_c_o_n_f will complain and allow you to skip network configuration. A bad or faulty _D_N_S configuration is very dramatic (they often give the impression that the computer is stopped and unresponsive). This test is helpful, except when the machine does not have full time access to a DNS. The checkbox is just there to tell _L_i_n_u_x_c_o_n_f not to care much about the _D_N_S. Other than this, it won't change the operation of the machine. 33..22.. DDeeffaauulltt ddoommaaiinn You generally enter the domain you use most, usually the domain of your organization. 33..33.. NNaammee sseerrvveerrss 11 22 aanndd 33 You must enter IP numbers, and not machine names. For a standalone which never connects to any larger network, this is optional. 33..44.. SSeeaarrcchh ddoommaaiinn An alternative to the default domain is the "Search domain" field. While this adds some overhead to _D_N_S searches, it may be a good time saver if you talk regularly to several machines spread over different domains. Note that using "Search domains" is exclusive to the "default domain" field. Use either one or the other.