Okay so the host file only allows system applications to understand what IP's are bound to a specific host, but in actuality, DNS has to be setup correctly in terms of a public server. Is my understanding is correct now, then I think I am good to go. Thanks for all your help who responded to this thread Gentlemen. On 11/8/2011 1:06 PM, Reindl Harald wrote: > > > Am 08.11.2011 18:53, schrieb Jonathan Vomacka: >> Reindl, >> >> To my knowledge, all that needs to be configured is A records, MX >> records, and SPF records (along with correlating PTR's). This is a whole >> other subject and I feel I will have this correctly configured. My fear >> is that someone will send email out from my server, and the hostname >> might come back as my systems host INSTEAD of the mail server hostname. >> >> Is it good measure to add it to the hosts file anyway or is this a waste >> of time? I guess my understanding of the host file is clouded > > the host-file is simply the same as DNS in both directions and > does nothing than resolve name/ip locally, normally not needed > but maybe a good idea to make sure servers like httpd starts > even if no dns is reachable at this moment because httpd refuses > to start if he can not resolve his own name > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > CentOS mailing list > CentOS at centos.org > http://lists.centos.org/mailman/listinfo/centos