resolv.conf format

[Cricket Liu]

joe wrote:
>   What is the correct format for the /etc/resolv.conf file
> on a primary DNS? Currently I have the following:
> 
> domain mydomain.com
> nameserver 10.254.64.7
> nameserver 10.254.64.8
> search mydomain.com
> 
> Everything seems to work ok this is more of a
> what's required/missing question. Is it better to
> use the locahost (127.0.0.1) address instead?

With a modern TCP/IP stack, it doesn't really matter.

> Is the search necessary if the domain statement
> is there, seems like overkill.

No, you just need one.  "search" gives you both an explicit search
list and a local domain name, while "domain" gives you just a local
domain name.  But the search and domain directives you're using
are equivalent.

> Finally if a resolver
> looks up say "www.cnn.com" would the domain
> statement above be needlessly appended to the
> query (www.cnn.com.mydomain.com) resulting in
> longer/useless query times?

Only if you're using an older (pre-BIND 4.9) resolver.

cricket

Men & Mice
DNS Software, Training and Consulting
www.menandmice.com

The DNS and BIND Cookbook, available now!
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/dnsbindckbk/