Configuring a Resolver to Append Multiple Domain Names to Arguments

9.4.1 Problem

You want to configure a resolver to append more than one domain name to incomplete domain name arguments.

9.4.2 Solution

On a BIND resolver, configure a search list by adding a search directive to the resolv.conf file. You can specify up to six domain names as arguments to the search directive, in the order in which you want the resolver to append them. For example, specifying:

search foo.example bar.example

tells your resolver to try appending foo.example to domain name arguments, and if that doesn't produce a real domain name, to try bar.example.

For a Windows resolver, find the resolver configuration window and set the Domain Suffix Search Order, Microsoft's term for the search list. In Windows 2000, for example, you can bring up the resolver configuration window by choosing Start Settings Control Panel Network and Dial-up Connections. Right-click on the name of your network connection, select Properties, then double-click on Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties. Finally, choose Advanced DNS.... Check the box labeled Append these DNS suffixes (in order), and set the search list in the list box below.

9.4.3 Discussion

The search directive also sets the local domain name to its first argument, so be sure to delete any domain directive in resolv.conf when you add search.

9.4.4 See Also

"The Search List" and "Windows 2000" in Chapter 6 of DNS and BIND; "Search List" in Chapter 6 of DNS on Windows 2000.