Q. I’m using Ubuntu Linux. How do I change my hostname or the machine name?
A.. You need to use hostname command, which is used to either set or display the current host or domain name of the system. This name is used by many of the networking programs to identify the machine.
Following instructions should work on both Debian and Ubuntu Linux systems.
Task: Display current hostname
Just type hostname command print the name of the system:
$ hostname
Output:
vivek-desktop.gite.in
Task: Change hostname
Set hostname to desktop.nixcraft.com:
# hostname desktop.nixcraft.com
# hostname
Output:
desktop.nixcraft.com
Task: Change hostname permanently
You need to edit a file called /etc/hostname:
# vi /etc/hostname
Set new hostname:
desktop.nixcraft.com
Save and close the file.
A note for Redhat / CentOS Linux users
If you are using CentOS or Fedora or Redhat (RHEL) Linux, see this FAQ.
12 comment
Thanks. That’s exactly what I needed!
hostname papa.nixcraft.com —temp changing the hostname
For Permanent
vim /etc/hosts
vim /etc/sysconfig/network
i did as you tell but can’t ping to hostname. My hostname is linuxserver, when i use command ping it appear connect: Network is unreachable.
after changing, type “bash” and the prompt will change to the newest hostname your just changed.
this just doesn’t work, it seems like it does but you wont be able to use “sudo” anymore…..
hostname change command
Hi,
Thanks for pointing me to the right direction.
As for me and perhaps ppl using certain distro, may have to edit the /etc/hosts file as well.
sudo gedit /etc/hosts
127.0.0.1 localhost
127.0.1.1 newhostnamehere
——
Look for the line that says:
127.0.1.1 originalname
and change it to the newhostname
Regards,
Bob
PS: until I fix this, sudo took a long time trying to but fail to “resolve” the name, before asking for password and the GUI ‘update’ taskbar icon and GUI package manager stop working.
The same thing happened to me, thanks for the comment
hi
my need change host name in centos 5.7 ??
Really from my own point of view it is so amazing to use it please i need some e-book how to use it.
Thanks’
Martin
Setting up a CentOS 6 box today and was able to use the hostname command successfully without errors. Not sure why using the other FAQ is suggested.
so useful, thanks a lot!!!