How to get the IP address of a known hostname in Linux?

Question

I have a device in a public network (I'm not the owner/admin of the WiFi) and I want to know if there is a way to get the devices IP address by knowing its hostname from a second device in the same network?

Use the command `host hostname`. – bcs78 Sep 02 '18 at 19:04 — bcs78, Sep 02 '18 at 19:04

score 3 · Answer 1 · answered Sep 02 '18 at 19:16

If the network has a DNS service, query that for the hostname using a tool like host or dig. This will depend on the device being registered, either statically, by a DHCP service, or by dynamic registration on the device itself.

Many public networks do not do this for avoidance of cost & needless complexity and/or privacy preservation reasons. In that case, consult the network operator, who can infer this data from logs on relevant hardware devices (DHCP server, gateway, etc.).

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Oct 31 '18 at 22:56

1

The multicast DNS protocol is designed to do exactly that. You simply append .local after the hostname of the device and you have a name that you can use with all the usual commands. For example:

ssh hostname.local

answered Oct 31 '18 at 22:56

kasperd

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How to get the IP address of a known hostname in Linux?

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