> Source: [sk93765](https://support.checkpoint.com/results/sk/sk93765)

# sk93765 - "cpinst Error: Host name resolution for HOSTNAME failed" when running Check Point commands

| Property | Value |
|----------|-------|
| Solution ID | sk93765 |
| Date Created | 2013-07-24 |
| Last Modified | 2018-10-23 |
| Technical Level | Advanced |
| Products | Security Gateway, Security Management Server |
| Versions | R82.10, R82, R81.20, R82.10, R82, R81.20 |
| OS | Gaia |

## Symptoms

- * Able to login to CLI and run usual Linux commands, but unable to log in to Gaia Portal after recent upgrade of Security Gateway / Security Management Server.  

* Running Check Point commands fails with different errors.  
  For example:  
  `[Expert@HostName]# cpwd_admin list`  
  `cpwd_admin: Failed to submit request to cpWatchDog`  

  `[Expert@HostName]# cpwd_admin list`  
  `Failed to establish session with AMON server`  

* Running '`cpconfig`' yields the output:   
  `cpinst Error: Host name resolution for `*HOSTNAME*` failed.`  
  `Local host name resolution is required for normal Check Point Security Gateway operation.`  
  `Please correct this error and run cpstart again:`  
  `Add an entry for `*HOSTNAME*` in /etc/hosts`  

* When running '`cpstart`' command, it runs, but does not start any processes:  
  `cpstart: power-up self tests passed successfully`

## Cause

Incorrect entry for the machine's hostname in the */etc/hosts* file - contains an extra and invalid characters/extension like *domainname.com*.

## Solution

This solution requires authentication. Please log in to view the full solution.

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