Question : DNS configuration question.

I'm going through my DNS configuration in Linux Bind to prepare to move DNS hosting to my ISP.  I'm cleaning up the DNS config and found localhost entries.  What is this for?

I am a newbie and appreciate your advice.

Answer : DNS configuration question.

The localhost entry is a standard setting.  The IP address of 127.0.0.1 is considered the 'loopback' address which redirects your system to itself.  So, when you connect to 127.0.0.1, you're connecting to your local system.  A lot of system administrators are used to using a web address like http://localhost to connect to a local web server.

So, DNS servers are automatically configured with these localhost entries.  For more information, please visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Localhost.

Hope this helps...

Mike