[Linux-disciples] DNS servers with dynamic IPs

[Stephen R Laniel]

I work with a client that operates behind an AirPort router
doling out IP addresses via DHCP. On each machine, I have a
hosts file (disseminated via NIS) that hardcodes the local
network's hostnames. Apparently AirPort routers don't handle
DHCP reservations; when the router rebooted yesterday, it
changed everyone's IP, and the hosts file was suddenly out
of date. Since the IP address of the NIS server itself was
in the hosts file, this Screwed Everything Up In A Major
Way.

One solution would be (AdamK's suggestion) to use a cheap
Linux box as a router. Presumably I could find a DHCP server
daemon that handles DHCP reservations; the same MAC address
would always be mapped to the same IP address.

So, first question: which DHCP-server daemons allow constant
MAC-to-IP mappings?

Another approach: get a DNS server running locally. I'm less
sure how this would work. Say client A requests a service
from hostname B. Suppose the router has just rebooted and
changed everyone's IP. How does a DNS server now discover
which machine corresponds to which username?

Sorry if the question is phrased vaguely. I'm just puzzled
how I'd get a DNS server working with DHCP, if at all.

-- 
``You see, Andrew: toilet paper is made of paper, while rats
  are made out of ... rat.''
 -Josh Wretzel, 2004-08-29