nsswitch.conf

computing: software: Linux: nsswitch.conf

Overview
In Linux, nsswitch.conf tells Linux's domain name resolver what methods to use for resolving domain names both within the local network (if any) and on the internet. Typically, DNS is used for resolving names on the internet, but it may be desirable to have other methods checked first in case the domain name in question is locally significant.

The file is typically located at "/etc/nsswitch.conf"

Sample File
From Ubuntu "Dapper" (6.06): # passwd:        compat group:         compat shadow:        compat hosts:         files dns mdns networks:      files protocols:     db files services:      db files ethers:        db files rpc:           db files netgroup:      nis
 * 1) /etc/nsswitch.conf
 * 1) Example configuration of GNU Name Service Switch functionality.
 * 2) If you have the `glibc-doc' and `info' packages installed, try:
 * 3) `info libc "Name Service Switch"' for information about this file.

Modified file to support WINS lookups first: # passwd:        compat group:         compat shadow:        compat hosts:         files wins dns mdns networks:      files protocols:     db files services:      db files ethers:        db files rpc:           db files netgroup:      nis The default nsswitch.conf in Ubuntu 6.10 no longer mentions "mdns" in the "hosts:" line.
 * 1) /etc/nsswitch.conf
 * 1) Example configuration of GNU Name Service Switch functionality.
 * 2) If you have the `glibc-doc' and `info' packages installed, try:
 * 3) `info libc "Name Service Switch"' for information about this file.