RE: Networking Guidlines

John,

Ok.  There are exceptions to every rule.

BW, I also strongly recommend against using the OS400 SMTP/POP.

But I will modify my original statement to "It is almost never a good
thing to modify your hosts file.  Unless you are using OS400 brain dead
SMTP".

That better? <GD&R>  (Translated: GDR=Grinning, Ducking & Running)

Why don't I like the hosts file?  Because you have to keep every
machine in your network updated. And if you are sophisticated enough
(or brave enough?) to run your own SMTP, HTTP, etc servers, DNS should
not be a problem.

DNS gives you a lot of flexibility.  The hosts file gives you none.

Bob

-----Original Message-----
From: midrange-l-admin@midrange.com
[mailto:midrange-l-admin@midrange.com]On Behalf Of John Ross
Sent: Wednesday, July 31, 2002 12:25 PM
To: midrange-l@midrange.com
Subject: Re: Networking Guidlines

And why is that? Is it because if you change an IP address you have to
go
to every PC and change the host file?

And according to IBM
http://www-912.ibm.com/s_dir/SLKBase.nsf/3ff1161e61e6c7468625661300765a
3f/34879f5e413aa5cd8625697b0053f36a?OpenDocument
some things have to be in the AS/400 host file.
"Note: The Mail Router parameter must be an alphanumeric name and not
an IP
Address. Also, an entry must be made in the host table of the server to
associate the name mailrelay to the IP Address 192.168.5.254."
Mine is an IP address and works ok (V5R1), I did not see at what
release
that was at.

"Note: If you wanted to receive mail for a second SMTP Domain named
mail2.company.com, mail2.company.com would also be associated with the
Interface 192.168.1.5."
And this show it in the host file.

I just mention these because someone said they put the name in the host
file on the AS/400 (for an email problem) and it worked after that, and
he
was told that was a bad idea.

John Ross

At 10:39 AM 7/31/02 -0500, you wrote:
>Ohh, and I forgot.
>
>Don't use the HOSTS file!  It is evil and will only cause you problems
>in the future.