nsswitch.conf
The file /etc/nsswitch.conf, which sets the order of sources, such as files then DNS, for looking up hosts, users and groups.
In more detail
Its hosts line decides whether /etc/hosts is read before DNS. A bracketed action such as [NOTFOUND=return] stops the search when the previous source says the name does not exist.
Related terms
- DNS — The system that turns names such as learnsome.tech into IP addresses.
Taught in
- Client DNS: Files First, Then The Server — LPIC-1 Linux Administrator (101-500 and 102-500) Exam Prep