hostname doesn't stick

[jdow]

From: "Tim" <ignored_mailbox at yahoo.com.au>

> On Sat, 2006-09-16 at 23:31 -0700, jdow wrote:
>> Given what the hosts file is for the ORDER does not matter. But the
>> 127.0.0.1 line MUST be present.
> 
> I'm not sure that's true.
> 
> Localhost ought to be 127.0.0.1 and 127.0.0.1 ought to be localhost.
> The first one in the list is the one that is returned as an answer to a
> query about the name for the IP.

Barring a special use the hosts file is simply used to loop up
name vs number as a substitute for DNS. If localhost is not there
your only hope is that DNS is AND has localhost defined. The
hosts file is basically a safety net for DNS.

The /etc/sysconfig/network file is the one were important names are
defined for the system. The hosts file would be expected to relate
those names to their dotted quad if nothing else did.

If the localhost definition is missing I suspect there are tools
critical to getting the network rolling that would belly up. Now,
just as to WHY that would be the case is a matter of conjecture.
The relationship is well enough known it probably could be hard
coded. Why it isn't is something I'd like to know in an abstract
sort of way.

{^_^}