It's primary roles are:
- Assign an IP address automatically even without the presence of a DHCP server.
- Act as DNS (each machine is accessible by the name nameMachine.local).
- Publish services and facilitates access (the local network machines are warned of the opening and closing up a service, facilitating the sharing of files, printers, etc.. )
It is an implementation of Zeroconf protocol compatible with Apple services. Possible drawbacks of Avahi :
- It use some memory (about 248 kb).
- It opens 2 network ports (UDP 32768 and 5353).
- It has been reported in some cases to decrease network performance.
The name of daemon may be different but the method remain the same for Debian-based systems
sudo update-rc.d -f avahi-daemon removeTo recreate the used links
sudo update-rc.d avahi-daemon defaults