Skip to content

Latest commit

 

History

History
117 lines (89 loc) · 3 KB

hostname.md

File metadata and controls

117 lines (89 loc) · 3 KB

hostname

The hostname command in Linux is used to display or set the system's hostname, which is a unique identifier assigned to a machine in a network. The hostname is used to identify the machine within a network and is essential for network communication and administration tasks.

Basic Usage

hostname [options] [new_hostname]
  • options: Optional flags to modify the command's behavior.
  • new_hostname: The new hostname you want to set for the machine.

Common Options and Examples

  1. Display the Current Hostname:

    hostname

    This command displays the current hostname of the system.

  2. Set a New Hostname:

    sudo hostname new_hostname

    This command sets the system's hostname to new_hostname. Note that you need superuser privileges to change the hostname.

  3. Display the Short Hostname:

    hostname -s

    This command displays the short hostname (up to the first dot).

  4. Display the FQDN (Fully Qualified Domain Name):

    hostname -f

    This command displays the system's fully qualified domain name (FQDN).

  5. Display the Alias Names:

    hostname -a

    This command displays the alias names of the host.

  6. Display the IP Address:

    hostname -i

    This command displays the IP address associated with the hostname.

  7. Display the DNS Domain Name:

    hostname -d

    This command displays the DNS domain name of the system.

  8. Display All Hostnames:

    hostname -A

    This command displays all configured hostnames.

Example Usage

  1. Check the Current Hostname:

    $ hostname
myhostname

  2. Change the Hostname Temporarily:

    $ sudo hostname newhostname

    This change will last until the next reboot.

  3. Set the Hostname Permanently: To set the hostname permanently, you need to edit the /etc/hostname file and the /etc/hosts file.

    $ sudo nano /etc/hostname

    Change the content to the new hostname and save the file.

    $ sudo nano /etc/hosts

    Update the line that starts with 127.0.1.1 to match the new hostname:

    127.0.1.1   newhostname

    After making these changes, apply them by running:

    $ sudo systemctl restart systemd-logind.service

Practical Applications

  • Network Configuration: Setting a hostname is essential for identifying machines in a network, facilitating easier communication and management.
  • Server Management: Hostnames help in managing multiple servers and services, making it easier to identify and configure them.
  • Troubleshooting: Knowing the hostname can assist in diagnosing network issues and identifying the source of problems.

Conclusion

The hostname command is a straightforward yet essential tool for managing and configuring the system's network identity. For detailed information, you can refer to the man page:

man hostname

help