Configuring Domain Name System (DNS) Characteristics

The following example shows the procedure for and results of configuring the default name resolution to FINANCE.ACME.COM:

Step Action

1Define the default name resolution domain as follows:

Local> CHANGE INTERNET NAME RESOLUTION DOMAIN

FINANCE.ACME.COM

2Enter the following connect command:

Local> CONNECT SALES

3In this situation, the access server automatically appends the default name resolution domain to SALES. The access server behaves as if you had typed:

Local> CONNECT SALES.FINANCE.ACME.COM

4Enter a command with a higher level domain name:

Local> CONNECT SALES.REVENUE

Result: The access server tries a sequence in the following order, using parts of the default domain name:

SALES.REVENUE.FINANCE.ACME.COM

SALES.REVENUE.ACME.COM

SALES.REVENUE

The name is likely to be resolved correctly as the access server tries SALES.REVENUE.ACME.COM. The sequence terminates at that point.

Using Trailing Dots

The access server uses a sequence of name resolution attempts when you enter a host name without a trailing dot at the end of the domain name. If you end a name with a trailing dot, the access server does not use a sequence of name resolution attempts.

Instead it uses the domain name as you enter it.

For example, suppose that you enter:

Local> CONNECT SALES.REVENUE.

Because this domain name ends with a dot, the access server does not append the default name resolution domain or any part of that domain.

TCP/IP Network Characteristics 7-11