[KLUG Members] RE: Qualified Host Name

[Adam Williams]

>When you do an install in either Mandrake, Redhat, or Linux Redmond for
>that matter, there comes a point where it asks for a "Qualified Host
>Name".  I've seen examples such as [ host1.handsonhistory.com ] listed
>as well as a default of [localhost.localdomain.com ]  What is the
>ualified host name, and what is it's importance on your network?   Is

THe qualified name is hostname + domain,  thus the name that make your
machine unique amidst the entire DNS (internet) name space.

>this so that other computers on your network can recognize you?  

It is one of the ways.  Some protocols (http, ftp, ssh) use the DNS name
space, others (cifs, appletalk, novell, etc..) do not.

>In MS
>when you network you have a computer "Name" 

Yes, and this name + the domain you define under tcp/ip properties is
your qualified name. (usually, unless you net-admin is a whack job).

>and also a "Workgroup"  so

No.  A workgroup is an arbitraty collection of hosts, simply for
convenience.  Beyond the CIFS/SMB proprietary M$ protocols the concept
of a workgroup does not exist.

Also remeber, a M$ workgroup is NOT the same as a M$ domain.    And a M$
domain is not the same as the DNS domain.

>if you wish to share files, and map a network drive, I know that I must
>be part of the same workgroup 

No, the above is not true.

>such as MSHOME or else I'm stuck.  If I
>add a nework drive, like my wifes, and her computer is "pams" then I
>need to type  \pams\C to be able to access her C drive.

More or less, you need to type \\pam\C,  this is referred to as a UNC. 
Same purpose as a URL in http or ftp, but uses the M$ CIFS protocol, and
thus the M$ CIFS name space.

>Is Qualified Host Name similar to this?  

No, not at all or in any way whatsoever.  Except that in most networks
the fully qualified name for a M$ host is derived from name + dns domain
defined in tcp/ip properties.

>Even though we are networked
>and have file and foler "shares", 
>I can find my local windows partitions
>in Linux, 

?  Local partitions?  This would have nothing to do with networking.

>but I don't find any of the 'network' drives listed on my
>wife's computer ( or daughter).  

? What network drives?

>Perhaps it's linked to the way I set up
>the qualified host name.

I'm not certain what your asking,  but almost certainly not.

You want o use the drives on a box running Linux from a M$ PC via the
network?  You need samba,  Linux does not do this 'natively'.