Problem connecting to local machine using the hostname

[Bart]

Hi all,
I'm trying to access to my linux server using the hostname of the machine. I am using Windows and samba. I access through ip regularly but with the hostname, connection fails. What could it be?
This is my simple firewall:

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IPT=/usr/sbin/iptables


 $IPT -t filter -F
 $IPT -t filter -X
 $IPT -t filter -Z
 $IPT -t filter -P INPUT DROP
 $IPT -t filter -P FORWARD DROP
 $IPT -t filter -P OUTPUT DROP

 /bin/echo "1" > /proc/sys/net/ipv4/ip_forward
 /bin/echo "1" > /proc/sys/net/ipv4/icmp_echo_ignore_broadcasts
 /bin/echo "1" > /proc/sys/net/ipv4/conf/all/rp_filter
 /bin/echo "0" > /proc/sys/net/ipv4/conf/all/accept_redirects
 /bin/echo "1" > /proc/sys/net/ipv4/icmp_ignore_bogus_error_responses
 /bin/echo "1" > /proc/sys/net/ipv4/conf/all/log_martians
 /bin/echo '1' > /proc/sys/net/ipv4/tcp_syncookies
 /bin/echo '0' > /proc/sys/net/ipv4/conf/all/accept_source_route

 $IPT -t filter -A INPUT -m state --state ESTABLISHED,RELATED -j ACCEPT
 $IPT -t filter -A OUTPUT -m state --state ESTABLISHED,RELATED,NEW -j ACCEPT
 $IPT -t filter -A FORWARD -m state --state ESTABLISHED,RELATED -j ACCEPT

 #SAMBA
 $IPT -t filter -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 139 -j ACCEPT
 $IPT -t filter -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 445 -j ACCEPT

Thanks in advance.

[Shador]

Is there even a DNS entry for it?

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nslookup <hostname>

Also it would be useful if you're more clear how you're trying to access it (samba share from windows explorer?) and what exactly you mean by failing.

[Bart]

I have installed bind and now nslookup return this code:

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nslookup maggie
Server:         8.8.8.8
Address:        8.8.8.8#53

** server can't find maggie: NXDOMAIN

Yes, I'm trying to access with samba on windows explorer (typing \\Maggie in the address bar), but after few seconds appears the following error: "Maggie can not access."
Using ip address everything works fine.

This is my /etc/hosts:

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#
# hosts         This file describes a number of hostname-to-address
#               mappings for the TCP/IP subsystem.  It is mostly
#               used at boot time, when no name servers are running.
#               On small systems, this file can be used instead of a
#               "named" name server.  Just add the names, addresses
#               and any aliases to this file...
#
# By the way, Arnt Gulbrandsen <agulbra@nvg.unit.no> says that 127.0.0.1
# should NEVER be named with the name of the machine.  It causes problems
# for some (stupid) programs, irc and reputedly talk. :^)
#

# For loopbacking.
127.0.0.1               localhost
127.0.1.1               maggie
10.5.1.20               maggie.localdomain maggie

# End of hosts.

Thanks.

[Shador]

127.0.1.1 maggie

Why this? 127.0.1.1?

This is my /etc/hosts:

Your hosts is useless for all but that one machine, especially for windows machines. Unless of course you were running dnsmasq and registered it as your DNS.

** server can't find maggie: NXDOMAIN

It doesn't work because there's no DNS record in any of your DNS servers for that machine.

[Bart]

Can you tell me what should I do please? Thanks

[Bart]

Up.

[Ekimino]

That is probably because your windows computer doesn't know what IP Mary is, it should be added in the dns, or for a cheap workaround.

Edit the \system32\drivers\etc\hosts windows file, and add the following line

<IP.IP.IP,IP> <Name you wish>

example: 192.168.1.2 Mary

Edit: Check your network settings, to see which DNS server you are using, if It's internal(ex:router/gateway) you could add the DNS entries to the router, I don't really know if all the routers support it. If It's a small personal network you could just edit the hosts files on the machines.

Linux "DNS" file: /etc/resolv.conf
Linux Hosts file: /etc/hosts

BTW: Learn some DNS theory, it won't do no harm, and you'll see one of the pillars of the internet once you understand it.