HP Traffic Director Server Appliances Getting Started Guide

Configuring DNS

Using a DNS Server

Using the SA8220 without a DNS Server

We recommend using IP addresses for the fastest performance. You can also use a host table in the SA8220 when IP addresses are not assigned via DHCP. The host table makes SA8220 restarts faster and eliminates the chance of service failure due to DNS errors and time- outs.

The SA8220 is sometimes required to identify itself and other devices on its network by name and IP address. If your site has a DNS server that contains the names of the SA8220 and servers, the SA8220 can be configured to recognize these by entering the DNS addresses in the SA8220’s Boot Monitor.

Host name resolution is always performed in the following order:

1.Local static hosts table

2.Primary DNS server

3.Secondary DNS server

Another way is to add hosts to the SA8220’s host tables, which contain an IP address and hostname for each device.

Host tables are managed using the CLI. This procedure walks you through the naming and addressing setup for the SA8220.

For more information on the CLI, see Chapter 5 in the User Guide.

Configure the hosts file to avoid DNS dependency

A static hosts table and DNS servers can be used in concert. When a hostname is not resolved by static hosts table lookup, the SA8220 will use the DNS server.

1.Enter the following into the SA8220’s hosts file to avoid the need for DNS:

The SA8220's own name (automatically entered by the Boot Monitor program, though you can subsequently change it)

The backup SA8220's name (if using serial cable failover, see Chapter 3 of the User Guide)

The “online” SA8220 name (if using serial cable failover)

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