Resolving host names to their domain name in an internal BIND domain

Solution 1:

It is possible and perfectly desirable. On the Linux machines:

Add search plumnicoll.family to your /etc/resolv.conf

On the Windows machines (instructions for Windows XP, other versions will require adaptation but should be similar):

go to Start > Settings > Network Connections
right-click local network connection > Properties
left-click Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
left-click Properties
left-click Advanced
left-click DNS tab
left-click Append these DNS suffixes
left-click Add
type plumnicoll.family
left-click Add
left-click OK
left-click OK
left-click OK

Solution 2:

This is a client config issue, not a server config issue. The recommendation to put the domain in the search path in resolv.conf is a client change. You would do the same thing (albeit with a GUI) on Windows or Mac OS X, or in the DHCP scope options of your DHCP server if you're using one.

Solution 3:

This has to do with your default search domain. This is often pushed out by your DHCP server, or it can be set manually

(My computer | Propterties | Compuer Name | Change | primary domain suffix)

Solution 4:

Try putting your domain name as a search domain in /etc/resolv.conf, for example:

/etc/resolv.conf
search plumbnicoll.family

That should allow you to use hostnames.

Solution 5:

If the domain exists on the same network then place the following in your /etc/resolv.conf:

domain plumbnicoll.family

You probably want to use domain in favour of search in this instance.