Conference orarep::nomahs::odbc_rdb_driver

1352.0. "Why does ODBC need HOSTS.TXT" by BROKE::BASTINE () Fri May 30 1997 12:27

I have a customer successfully using the ODBC driver, but it took us a while
to get it set up OK.

This customer is using TCP/IP and has DNS and Window Naming Services that 
allow the use of the host name, but name, without specifying the ip address.
For all applications on the PC these naming services work fine.  However,
for some reason, ODBC doesn't use these services.  Through trial and error
we discovered the need for a HOSTS.TXT file on the PC with the host name
and tcp/ip address in it.  When this file is defined, it all works fine.

The customer is now inquiring, why wouldn't ODBC look at the other services
like everyone else... why does it require this HOSTS.TXT file? 

I don't know enough about the networking, other than to say ODBC uses 
the WINSOCK.DLL, but that doesn't explain why HOSTS.TXT is needed...

Anyone have any ideas?

Renee

    The ODBC driver makes a call into WINSOCK.DLL to get the ip address. It
    doesn't know anything about how the network gets the address, it just
    makes the call and expects an address or an error.
    
    So, ODBC doesn't know anything about DNS or hosts or anything... It is
    up to his network software to return the proper address. The WINSOCK
    call we make to get the address is gethostbyname...
    
    john

Thanks John, that helps a great deal!!

Renee