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/etc/resolv.conf Domain Search list does not use listed domains

This document (7015868) is provided subject to the disclaimer at the end of this document.

Environment

 
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10

Situation

When trying to run ping, nslookup, traceroute, or other network commands the machine "node1" cannot be found:
linux-4m2p:~/Desktop # ping node1
ping: unknown host node1

linux-4m2p:~/Desktop # nslookup node1
** server can't find node1: NXDOMAIN

linux-4m2p:~/Desktop # traceroute node1
node1: Name or service not known


The /etc/resolv.conf will shows the domain search list. 
Example 1
search suse.com,foo.com,example.com

This will fail since it has commas, it needs a single space or tab in between each domain.

Example 2
search domainname.net
search suse.com
search foo.com
search example.com


If this was used the only one to be checked would be example.com (the last in the list).

Resolution

The "search" parameter needs to be put into one line and only contain one space between domains.  For example the domains listed above would be

Example 1 Fixed
search suse.com foo.com example.com

Example 2 Fixed
search domainname.net suse.com foo.com example.com

Setting this in Yast2 > Network Settings > Hostname/DNS > Domain Search box will also work.

Additional Information

Search list for host-name lookup.
"The search list is normally determined from the local domain name; by default, it contains only the local domain name. This may be changed by listing the desired domain search path following the search keyword with spaces or tabs separating the names. Note that this process may be slow and will generate a lot of network traffic if the servers for the listed domains are not local, and that queries will time out if no server is available for one of the domains [as it goes through each in the list until it finds a match]. The search list is currently limited to six domains with a total of 256 characters."
-Per manpage resolv.conf (5)

Disclaimer

This Support Knowledgebase provides a valuable tool for SUSE customers and parties interested in our products and solutions to acquire information, ideas and learn from one another. Materials are provided for informational, personal or non-commercial use within your organization and are presented "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND.

  • Document ID:7015868
  • Creation Date: 07-Nov-2014
  • Modified Date:23-Feb-2021
    • SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop
    • SUSE Linux Enterprise Server

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