IBM Security Access Manager for Enterprise Single Sign-On, Version 8.2

Ways of resolving hosts and IP addresses

You can use a hosts file or a domain name server to resolve host names and IP addresses on a stand-alone or distributed deployment.

Resolving host names with a DNS server

If you are using a name server or DNS server to resolve host names, the host name must be configured on the DNS server. The host name you configure on the DNS server must also match the host name configured in the operating system.

To check the host name on the operating system, in a command prompt, type:
hostname
For example: If the computer is ibm1, the system displays the following result:
```
ibm1
```
Verify the computer name information:
1. Right-click My Computer.
2. Click Properties.
3. Click the Computer Name tab.
4. Verify that the Full computer name field displays the fully qualified domain name of the computer. For example ibm1.example.com
  Note: To view the NetBIOS name for the local computer, click Change, then click More. Alternatively, in a command prompt, type nbtstat -n.
Check the host name configured on the DNS server. Run the following command:
nslookup host_name

Where host_name is the host name.

The nslookup command returns the fully qualified domain name configured on the DNS server. For example: ibm1.example.com.
Check that the host is responding. You can run the following command:
ping host_name

Where host_name is the host name.

Note: In some environments, the ping command might fail if the computer is configured to ignore ping requests. Check with your network administrator for alternative ways, if the problem persists.

Resolving host names with a hosts file

Domain names or IP addresses on a local computer can be resolved by adding entries in the local hosts file on a computer. Entries in the local hosts file have the added advantage that the system can run the application server, even when disconnected from the network. If you are using a hosts file to resolve IP addresses, the file must be configured correctly.

The location of the hosts file for:

Windows: SystemDrive:\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc\
Linux: /etc/hosts

The file must include the following information:

The IP address, fully qualified domain name, and the host name of the computer.
The IP address 127.0.0.1, the fully qualified domain name localhost.localdomain, and the host name localhost.

For example: for a computer with a host name ibm1, the hosts file might contain the following entries:

#IP address        Fully Qualified Domain Name   Short Name
 102.54.11.38	     ibm1.example.com              ibm1
    127.0.0.1      localhost.localdomain         localhost

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