How do I ftp to an unknown host

[ProgrammingB52]

I am trying to ftp and am unable to due to an unknown host. I entered ftp. ftp.umassd.edu and got "UNKNOWN HOST" and was not prompted for a user name. How do ftp to this site, or make this host known?????

 

[stanhubble]

you must tell the system how to resolve the hostname into an ip address.


edit /etc/resolv.conf and add the line

nameserver IP.ADDRESS.OFYOURISP.DNS

or more likely your internal DNS/PROXY.
your route table (netstat -nr) must contain a default route to your router/gateway/proxy.

 

[ProgrammingB52]

Well, I did that and the next line was an edit prompt saying that I had 3 files to edit. What do I do next???

 

[stanhubble]

when you go to edit a file, do not use wildcards.

if you are a the : prompt, type x to save and exit

 

[ProgrammingB52]

Well, that is great help, but I'm almost there. I don't know what to edit though. Am I suppose to be adding primary or secondary nameservers?, I don't know what to enter in the edit part, please reply.

 

[stanhubble]

to edit the file:

vi /etc/resolv.conf

as far as what to add, you can add both primary and secondary nameservers, each on a separate line.

for syntax please see

man /etc/resolv.conf