How do I give my computer a name, (dhcp)

Forum: Networking
Topic: How do I give my computer a name, (dhcp)
started by: rhauff

Posted by rhauff on May 10 2005,03:00

I have my DSL box set up as and Edna music server. How do I give this machine a permanent name, so I don't have to guess it's IP address when I want to log on to it? This is on my home network, which is DHCP.

Thanks!
Roland

Posted by noordinaryspider on May 11 2005,04:32

Edna is still on my "to-do" list, but I believe that if you use dhcp your machine has the same understated default name as my own:

"box".

As long as you only have one DSL machine in your network, that's all you need for LinNeighborhood to find the ip for you.

HTH

Posted by ke4nt1 on May 11 2005,05:56

With the new DSL 1.1 version, there is now a new boottime option

host=whatevernameyougiveit

Then you can have multiple DSL boxen on your net, without issues of samename.

73
ke4nt

Posted by cbagger01 on May 11 2005,11:30

Keep in mind that your other computers will not understand how to translate the box name into the correct address unless you are running a local DNS (Domain Name Service) server. Most home routers do not provide this service, but some ISPs do.

It is possible to install a DNS server on to a Linux system like DSL, but your DNS server should be installed on a computer with a static IP address, or the other computers will be unable to find it.

The easy way out is to switch your Edna server over to a static IP address and then manually add the correct information to your other PC's hosts files, IE:

ednaboxname xx.xx.xx.xx

This file is located at /etc/hosts on a linux machine and:

C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc\hosts

on a Win2000/WinXP machine.

Posted by rhauff on May 14 2005,01:21

Well.......if I have a static IP, then I wouldn't care so much about a name, because I could use the same link to the Edna server, whether it is a name or an IP address. Besides, I didn't think I could use a static IP on my computers if I have DHCP running (my router does the DHCP).
Roland

Posted by mikshaw on May 14 2005,02:31

I'm saying this only from experience with my one Linksys router, but it seems that even with DHCP the router will consistently use the same IP for each machine connected to it until the router is reset.

Posted by rhauff on May 14 2005,03:17

Mine is a Linksys also, WRT54G. It seems to assign them by boot order. It's not often I have to reboot the DSL machine, but it is still occasionally locking up when I leave X running (xvesa bug).

Posted by linuxbouy aka linuxboy on May 14 2005,03:30

Try this...
1. Go to the DSL Control Panel
2. Choose Netcardconfig
3. When it says 'Use DHCP config?' use the arrow keys (and enter/return) to choose no.
4. type in the IP address you want and choose '<OK>'
5. type in the rest of the information it asks you for and your done!
6. (optional) tell me the default passwords for ftp and ssh!

Posted by rhauff on May 14 2005,17:47

OK, I've been trying that. I have entered the address of my Linksys router for the Gateway, and tried about a dozen different DNS addresses. I am not able to connect to names or IP addresses outside my home network.

Posted by rhauff on May 17 2005,01:56

OK, i figured it out. I have Vonage also, which uses a linksys router also and this is plugged in first to the modem. That is the gateway address I was trying to use. Next is my main network router which has my pc's plugged into it. That is the address I had to use to get it all working.

Thanks for the help guys!