Changing the Hostname on a Linux Box
====================================
:author: Aaron Ball
:email: nullspoon@iohq.net



I recently had need to change a server name due to a change in our server
naming scheme (local ski resorts to breweries). For the simple comedy of the
naming scheme switch, here's how it currently looks (without server prefixes
for security purposes of course). If you just want the solution, skip down a
paragraph.

Our current environment is mostly virtualized. The hosts are named after
breweries and their virtual guests are named after the beers that each brewery
produces. Clever, yeah? I can already feel my morale rising.



First off, open up a terminal window

image:files/terminal001.png[height=400]

Then type

image:files/terminal002b.png[height=200]

The file that comes up should contain nothing but a hostname. In my case this
is . (Ctrl + x closes the file, y says to save the file before closing, Enter
saves the file under the original filename).

image:files/terminal003.png[height=300]

Once you've done this, all you need to do is restart your computer and you
should be golden.

Here's how we fix the aforementioned issue.

If you've closed your terminal for the restart, open it up again. Type *sudo
nano /etc/hosts*

image:files/terminal004.png[height=300]

At the top you should see 127.0.0.1, 127.0.1.1 and their associated
'hostnames'. The one to the right of 127.0.1.1 should show your old hostname.
Change that to the new hostname and save the file (Press Ctrl + x -> y ->
Enter). Now your computer's IP address should resolve to its new hostname.

Enjoy!

Now for a cup of joe...


Category:Linux


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