Resolv.conf
Encyclopedia
resolv.conf is the name of a computer file
used in various operating systems to configure the Domain Name System
(DNS) resolver library. The file is a plain-text file usually created by the network administrator or by applications that manage the configuration tasks of the system. The resolvconf
program is one such program on linux machines which manages the resolv.conf file.
operating system
s and others that implement the BIND
Domain Name System
(DNS) resolver library, the resolv.conf configuration file
contains information that determines the operational parameters of the DNS resolver.
The DNS resolver allows applications running in the operating system to translate human-friendly domain name
s into the numeric IP address
es that are required for access to resources on the local area network
or the Internet
. The process of determining IP addresses from domain names is called resolving.
resolv.conf is usually located in the /etc directory of the file system
.
Sometimes it is necessary that the contents of this configuration file be managed by multiple agents or programs. For this purpose the resolvconf
program is available to manage such operations in a conflict-free manner.
Computer file
A computer file is a block of arbitrary information, or resource for storing information, which is available to a computer program and is usually based on some kind of durable storage. A file is durable in the sense that it remains available for programs to use after the current program has finished...
used in various operating systems to configure the Domain Name System
Domain name system
The Domain Name System is a hierarchical distributed naming system for computers, services, or any resource connected to the Internet or a private network. It associates various information with domain names assigned to each of the participating entities...
(DNS) resolver library. The file is a plain-text file usually created by the network administrator or by applications that manage the configuration tasks of the system. The resolvconf
Resolvconf
In some Linux distributions and related computer operating systems, the resolvconf program maintains the system information about the currently available nameservers and manages the contents of the configuration file resolv.conf, which determines Domain Name System resolver parameters.Before a...
program is one such program on linux machines which manages the resolv.conf file.
Purpose
In most Unix-likeUnix-like
A Unix-like operating system is one that behaves in a manner similar to a Unix system, while not necessarily conforming to or being certified to any version of the Single UNIX Specification....
operating system
Operating system
An operating system is a set of programs that manage computer hardware resources and provide common services for application software. The operating system is the most important type of system software in a computer system...
s and others that implement the BIND
BIND
BIND , or named , is the most widely used DNS software on the Internet.On Unix-like operating systems it is the de facto standard.Originally written by four graduate students at the Computer Systems Research Group at the University of California, Berkeley , the name originates as an acronym from...
Domain Name System
Domain name system
The Domain Name System is a hierarchical distributed naming system for computers, services, or any resource connected to the Internet or a private network. It associates various information with domain names assigned to each of the participating entities...
(DNS) resolver library, the resolv.conf configuration file
Configuration file
In computing, configuration files, or config files configure the initial settings for some computer programs. They are used for user applications, server processes and operating system settings. The files are often written in ASCII and line-oriented, with lines terminated by a newline or carriage...
contains information that determines the operational parameters of the DNS resolver.
The DNS resolver allows applications running in the operating system to translate human-friendly domain name
Domain name
A domain name is an identification string that defines a realm of administrative autonomy, authority, or control in the Internet. Domain names are formed by the rules and procedures of the Domain Name System ....
s into the numeric IP address
IP address
An Internet Protocol address is a numerical label assigned to each device participating in a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication. An IP address serves two principal functions: host or network interface identification and location addressing...
es that are required for access to resources on the local area network
Local area network
A local area network is a computer network that interconnects computers in a limited area such as a home, school, computer laboratory, or office building...
or the Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
. The process of determining IP addresses from domain names is called resolving.
Contents and location
The resolv.conf file typically contains directives with the IP addresses of nameservers available to a host.resolv.conf is usually located in the /etc directory of the file system
File system
A file system is a means to organize data expected to be retained after a program terminates by providing procedures to store, retrieve and update data, as well as manage the available space on the device which contain it. A file system organizes data in an efficient manner and is tuned to the...
.
Sometimes it is necessary that the contents of this configuration file be managed by multiple agents or programs. For this purpose the resolvconf
Resolvconf
In some Linux distributions and related computer operating systems, the resolvconf program maintains the system information about the currently available nameservers and manages the contents of the configuration file resolv.conf, which determines Domain Name System resolver parameters.Before a...
program is available to manage such operations in a conflict-free manner.