Finding ip address using python's socket module

Question

When I run the following command to get the host ip:

socket.gethostbyname(socket.gethostname())

I am getting the following error on MAC terminal:

socket.gaierror: [Errno 8] nodename nor servname provided, or not known

Any idea what the problem could be?

socket.gethostname() does return the correct hostname.

if you try to ping (from command line) the host that socket.gethostname() returns, does it say unknown host? — dave
– dave, Commented May 2, 2013 at 7:03
that's right. it does say unknown host! any idea what would cause that? thanks! — KT100
– KT100, Commented May 2, 2013 at 7:06

dave · Accepted Answer · 2013-05-02 07:10:30Z

3

Try to open as root /etc/hosts file, and add a line like the following

# IP ADDR      HOSTNAME
192.168.1.1    your_desired_hostname

and the name should resolve.

Obviously substitute 192.168.1.1 with your ip address.

answered May 2, 2013 at 7:10

dave

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