Create Dynamic Custom Hosts File

[bozolino]

my geo-unblock dns provider publishes a .hosts file (via a static url) that gets regular updates. i would like to reflect those updates on my router. how can i create a daily cronjob to

1. download the .hosts file from my provider
2. replace the contents of /jffs/configs/dnsmasq.conf.add with the download
3. restart the router or the relevant (sub)system to update its hosts file

many thanks in advance!

 

[john9527]

What format is the hosts file from your provider? Standard ip host_name?

 

[bozolino]

yes:
[ip][tab][hostname]
in plaintext

 

[ColinTaylor]

yes:
[ip][tab][hostname]
in plaintext

In which case just download the file and call it /jffs/configs/hosts.add It will then be automatically added to your hosts file.

https://github.com/RMerl/asuswrt-merlin/wiki/Custom-config-files
https://github.com/RMerl/asuswrt-merlin/wiki/User-scripts

 

[john9527]

I'd use a separate file to avoid having to completely restart dnsmasq. Then one time add the line

addn-hosts=/jffs/configs/new-host-name

to /jffs/configs/dnsmasq.conf.add

Then since the dnsmasq hosts files aren't dynamic, you need to issue

killall -SIGHUP dnsmasq

to cause the host file to be re-read after you download it.