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From: jj@dcs.leeds.ac.uk (J Jackson)
Newsgroups: comp.protocols.tcp-ip
Subject: name handling in DNS resolvers
Message-ID: <21400.9105161229@csunb0.dcs.leeds.ac.uk>
Date: 16 May 91 12:29:39 GMT
Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Organization: The Internet
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In experimenting with DNS (before dropping use of hosts files),
we came across differences in the way different software resolved names
that users had provided.

BIND (and derivations - most UN*Xes) build a search list of
progressively wider domains to successively append to the user
provided name. This gives a decent user interface where users only
need to specify enough 'local' part of the name - not the full
domainname of a service.

However some implementations do not provide such user friendly
procedures. e.g. FTP Inc's PC/TCP uses the algorithm that if the user
supplied name contains a '.' (period) it is used "as-is" in the DNS
resolution, otherwise a default domain is appended. (FTP Inc. support
staff don't think there is any need for change.)

Such 'simpler' (brain dead!) procedures may be ok in a site without
much sub-domaining, but for large sites users are forced to use fully
qualified domainnames for any service outside their local sub-domain.

Have others found this, and if so are you satisfied with the position?
I have found nothing specific in the Host Requirements or DNS RFC's.
Surely we should expect a standard appraoch to this?

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Jim Jackson                                  Email :
School of Computer Studies	        UK - JANET : jj@uk.ac.leeds.dcs
Leeds University                          Internet : jj@dcs.leeds.ac.uk
Leeds    LS2 9JT
UK                                           Phone :     +44 532 335451
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     Opinions! What Opinions? I just wield the brush round here.