Re: [gentoo-user] Why do we add the local host name to the 127.0.0.1 / ::1 entry in the /etc/hosts file?

[Grant Taylor <gtaylor@gentoo.tnetconsulting.net>]

On 2/24/21 7:37 PM, Peter Humphrey wrote:
> Isn't it a matter of simple logic?

No.  It is not.  Consider my question to be calling the logic into 
question.  Or at least asking for what the logic was to be explained.

> The loopback address is just that: the machine talking to itself, with 
> no reference to the outside world. Whereas, while talking to other 
> machines on the network its address is that of the interface. There's 
> no connection between those two.

That doesn't explain /why/ the local host name is added to the line 
containing 127.0.0.1 and / or ::1.

Remember, that /all/ traffic to a local IP, of any interface, runs 
through the loopback interface.

Try pinging your Ethernet / WiFi IP address in one window and then 
shutting the lo interface down.  The pings will stop responding.  Then 
they will start again when you turn the lo interface back up.

So, even if you do (questionably) connect to the IP address of the 
Ethernet / WiFi adapter instead of 127.0.0.1 / ::1 you are still going 
through the lo interface.

So, again, will someone please explain why the Gentoo AMD64 Handbook ~> 
Gentoo (at large) says to add the local host name to the 127.0.0.1 (or 
::1) entry in the /etc/hosts file?  What was the thought process behind 
that?



-- 
Grant. . . .
unix || die