Linux Dedicated Server Binding to 127.0.0.1

So recently I released my Game Client and Game Server for Linux and all the preliminary tests went very well … some members on the forums even ran an impromptu LAN game. 8-}

My next question is now as follows … the server works beautifully … except on Ubuntu it binds to 127.0.0.1 by default and not the external IP Address.

Any idea, I think it might have to do with the /etc/hosts file which has my host name linked to 127.0.0.1 and I notice in the console log of the server it refers to that Host Name. Should I change the IP Address in the file or is there a way to force the server to use the external IP Address?

Just want to see if there is an easier solution, like defining the IP Address to bind to at server start … or does it require operating system intervention.

Thanks.