I'll make an attempt. 

42996=radio@127.0.0.1/42996,NONE  defines the node which resides in your computer is local.  The IP address of 127.0.0.1 is local host, and local host resolves to this IP.  It's defined so Asterisk knows where on the AllStar system this node exists.  In this case - it's local to your computer itself.  If there is more than one node instance in a single computer, they will be added as well, to 127.0.0.1 local host.

Other nodes can be established in this stanza to statically define where (in the world) they exist.  Say your node commonly connects to another node that has a static IP address.  This address could be public or private.  Defining a node and an IP in this stanza eliminates the need for the node to resolve (using DNS lookup) where the node resides.  This can eliminate nodes not connecting to one another if the AllStar nodes resolver system should become unreachable.  If a node is defined, it doesn't do the look-up, it simply uses the static assignment to attempt the connection.  Nodes that are on an Internet connection which are offered public IP addresses which change on occasion should not be defined statically.  This is the whole reason behind DNS,  As IP's change (because the ISP changes them) the system will keep track and always know what IP address your node is located at, so others can connect to you.

I believe this area only relates to AllStar nodes - not EchoLink nodes - BUT I'm not sure about this.

Hope this helps..
Kevin W3KKC


On 11/10/2016 12:31 PM, DuaneVT . wrote:
Would someone explain the NODES stanza of rpt.conf?

[nodes]
110=radio@127.0.0.1/110,NONE                 ; My node on this computer (local)

If my public repeater/node is configured to be repeater controller/Allstar/Echolink:
  1. Should ANYTHING be in [NODES}?
  2. Allstar would be: 42996=radio@127.0.0.1/42996,NONE?
  3. Does the Echolink node be added like Allstar?
  4. Is 127.0.0.1 ALWAYS the default regardless of router/firewall/IP address?
I see this template everywhere in the rpt.conf setup with no explanations as to details. Like do ALL nodes, public/private/link/repeater get entered the same way except for node numbers?

Thanks,
Duane KA1LM #42996