NSS-MDNS serves as a plugin for the GNU Name Service Switch.
The nss-mdns software is a useful plugin for the GNU Name Service Switch (NSS) functionality in the GNU C Library (glibc). It enables host name resolution via Multicast DNS (also known as Zeroconf, Apple Rendezvous, or Apple Bonjour). This plugin makes it possible to resolve names using common Unix/Linux programs within the mDNS domain .local.
However, it is important to note that the nss-mdns project only provides client functionality. This means that users must run a separate mDNS responder daemon if they wish to register a local host name via mDNS. A recommended option for this task is Avahi.
Fortunately, nss-mdns is very lightweight, with a stripped binary .so file weighing only 24 KBytes. The software has no dependencies other than glibc and requires minimal configuration. Additionally, users can configure nss-mdns to communicate with an avahi-daemon for superior record caching.
To use nss-mdns, a Linux operating system with a fairly modern glibc installation that includes development headers (v2.0 or newer) is required. Additionally, a kernel compiled with IPv4 multicasting support enabled is necessary. The software was developed and tested on Debian GNU/Linux "testing" from December 2004, and it should work on most Linux distributions and possibly some Unix versions, given its use of GNU autoconf and GNU libtool for source code configuration and shared library management.
The installation process is straightforward because the software comes packaged with the GNU autotools. After configuring the source tree with ./configure inside the distribution directory, users can compile the software with make, and then install it with make install (as root).
The latest release of nss-mdns includes support for FreeBSD and fixes for the SPARC port. Overall, nss-mdns is a user-friendly plugin that enhances name resolution capabilities for Linux and Unix users.
However, it is important to note that the nss-mdns project only provides client functionality. This means that users must run a separate mDNS responder daemon if they wish to register a local host name via mDNS. A recommended option for this task is Avahi.
Fortunately, nss-mdns is very lightweight, with a stripped binary .so file weighing only 24 KBytes. The software has no dependencies other than glibc and requires minimal configuration. Additionally, users can configure nss-mdns to communicate with an avahi-daemon for superior record caching.
To use nss-mdns, a Linux operating system with a fairly modern glibc installation that includes development headers (v2.0 or newer) is required. Additionally, a kernel compiled with IPv4 multicasting support enabled is necessary. The software was developed and tested on Debian GNU/Linux "testing" from December 2004, and it should work on most Linux distributions and possibly some Unix versions, given its use of GNU autoconf and GNU libtool for source code configuration and shared library management.
The installation process is straightforward because the software comes packaged with the GNU autotools. After configuring the source tree with ./configure inside the distribution directory, users can compile the software with make, and then install it with make install (as root).
The latest release of nss-mdns includes support for FreeBSD and fixes for the SPARC port. Overall, nss-mdns is a user-friendly plugin that enhances name resolution capabilities for Linux and Unix users.
What's New
Version 0.10: N/A