NAME

res_init - Searches for a default domain name and Internet address

LIBRARY

Standard C Library (libc.a)

SYNOPSIS

#include <sys/types.h> #include <netinet/in.h> #include <arpa/nameser.h> #include <resolv.h> void res_init ( void );

DESCRIPTION

The res_init() function reads the /etc/resolv.conf file for the default domain name and the Internet address of the initial hosts running the name server, even if the name server is not functioning. 

The res_init() function is one of a set of subroutines that form the resolver, a set of functions that resolve domain names.  All resolver functions use the /usr/include/resolv.h header file, which defines the _res data structure.  The res_init() function stores domain name information in the _res data structure. 

NOTES

If the /etc/resolv.conf file does not exist, the res_init() function attempts name resolution using the local /etc/hosts file.  If the system is not using a domain name server, the /etc/resolv.conf file should not exist.  The /etc/host file should be present on the system even if the system is using a name server.  In this instance, the file should contain the host IDs that the system requires to function even if the name server is not functioning. 

FILES

/etc/resolv.conf
Contains the name server and domain name.

/etc/hosts Contains hostnames and their addresses for hosts in a network.  This file is used to resolve a hostname into an Internet address. 

RELATED INFORMATION

Functions: dn_comp(3), dn_expand(3), dn_find(3), dn_skipname(3), _getlong(3), _getshort(3), putlong(3), putshort(3), res_mkquery(3), res_send(3)