tcp_wrappers prefers IP addresses?

[Alan Mead <adm ipat com>]

I usually have a strict ALL:ALL hosts.deny file and I only access my Linux
boxes from a couple IP addresses.  But recently I tried to give access to a
dialup network and to a friend who as a domain but whose IP is dynamic (the
hosting company does some DNS magic for him).

So I added these domains to my hosts.allow, as in "ALL: .whatever.com" and
"ALL: .mydialup.net" with very mixed results; I think one of my Linux (RH
5.2) boxes was reachable by me and the others refused my connections, all
of them refused my friend.

So, I was having the same trouble with my home network until I used IP
addresses and then everything worked beautifully.

Two questions:  How does tcp_wrappers work that it sometimes allows access
and sometimes not (e.g., is this an identd thing)?  And how can I arrange
for my friend (i.e., anyone in his domain) to access my box if his IP changes?

Thanks in advance for the edification!

-Alan
---
Alan D. Mead  /  Research Scientist  /  adm ipat com
Institute for Personality and Ability Testing
1801 Woodfield Dr  /  Savoy IL 61874 USA
217-352-4739 (v)  /  217-352-9674 (f)