[vox-tech] dhcp vs static hosts file

[David Rosenstrauch]

p at dirac.org wrote:
> I'm now on a home network where IP addresses are handed out dynamically by
> the router/bridge/DSL modem combo.  Suppose I have two Linux computers,
> Satan and Lucifer.
> 
> Now that I no longer have predictable IP addresses on the home network, how
> do I accomplish something like:
> 
>    satan$ ssh p at lucifer
> 
> when there's no longer a valid /etc/hosts file?
> 
> Thanks!
> Peter

Turn off DHCP serving on the router.  Then pick one of your linux boxes 
to be your new DHCP plus DNS server for the LAN.  Then install and 
configure dnsmasq (http://thekelleys.org.uk/dnsmasq/doc.html) on that 
box, and it will solve your problem.  Dnsmasq is a perfect little util 
for exactly this situation: a small DHCP server which has a built-in DNS 
server - unlike most small LAN routers, as you've seen.

I've been using dnsmasq for a few years now, and it works like a charm. 
  It took a little bit of trial and error at first to configure it 
right, but after that it was "set it and forget it".  If you have any 
probs. configuring it (or want to see a copy of my config), email me 
back on or off-list.

DR