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Asked: 2024-09-24T06:53:18+05:30 In: ,

What steps should I follow to modify the hostname of my computer in Ubuntu?

Hey everyone, I need some help with changing the hostname on my Ubuntu machine, and I’m a bit lost on what to do. I’ve heard this can be done pretty easily, but I’m kind of a beginner with Linux and want to make sure I don’t mess anything up. So, here’s the scoop: I’ve been using my computer for a while now, and it’s still named “Ubuntu-Desktop.” While that’s fine and all, I think it’s time to give it a more personalized name. I’ve got a few ideas in mind, like “HomeServer” or “CodingCave,” but I’m not sure how to actually make the change.

From what I’ve seen online, I think I need to mess around with some terminal commands, but the thought of stepping into the terminal gives me a tiny bit of anxiety, especially since I don’t want to accidentally break anything. The last time I tried to change something in the terminal, it didn’t go so well, and I ended up having to dig through forums to figure it out.

If I remember correctly, I think I need to change the hostname in a couple of places, right? Something about the `/etc/hostname` and maybe `/etc/hosts` files? But I’m not exactly sure what commands to use. Do I just sudo into them and edit them using nano, or is there a different approach? Should I reboot afterward, or will it change automatically?

I’d really appreciate any step-by-step guidance or tips you might have, especially for someone who’s still getting used to the Linux environment. Any advice on potential pitfalls or things to watch out for would also be super helpful. Thanks in advance for your help! Can’t wait to finally give my computer a name that better reflects my personality.

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    2 Answers

    1. Changing the hostname on your Ubuntu machine is pretty straightforward, and it’s great that you want to personalize it! You’re right about needing to edit a couple of files, and I’ll walk you through the steps.

      Step-by-Step Guide to Change Your Hostname

      1. Open the Terminal: Don’t worry, the terminal can seem scary at first, but you got this! You can find it in your applications or press Ctrl + Alt + T to open it.
      2. Edit the /etc/hostname file:

        Type the following command into the terminal:

        sudo nano /etc/hostname

        You’ll be asked for your password. It won’t show any characters as you type—that’s normal!

        Once you’re in the file, you’ll see the current hostname (like “Ubuntu-Desktop”). Just delete that and type your new hostname (like “HomeServer” or “CodingCave”).

      3. Edit the /etc/hosts file:

        Now, let’s change the hostname in the hosts file too. Run this command:

        sudo nano /etc/hosts

        In this file, look for a line that says something like:

        127.0.1.1    Ubuntu-Desktop

        Change “Ubuntu-Desktop” to your new hostname. It should look something like:

        127.0.1.1    HomeServer
      4. Save the Changes:

        After you’ve edited each file, press Ctrl + X to exit nano, then Y to confirm the changes, and Enter to save.

      5. Reboot Your Computer:

        Now, to ensure that all the changes take effect, it’s a good idea to reboot. You can do that by typing:

        sudo reboot

      Things to Keep in Mind:

      • Make sure to double-check the spellings of your new hostname; it can cause issues if it’s incorrect!
      • If you encounter any permission errors, ensure you’re using sudo before the commands.
      • After rebooting, you can check if the hostname has changed by typing hostname in the terminal.

      That’s it! You should now have a cool new name for your Ubuntu machine. Enjoy naming it something that reflects your personality!






    2. Changing Hostname on Ubuntu

      To change the hostname on your Ubuntu machine, you’ll want to modify both the `/etc/hostname` and `/etc/hosts` files. First, open a terminal and type the following command to edit the hostname file using nano:

      sudo nano /etc/hostname

      Inside the text editor, you can replace the existing hostname (“Ubuntu-Desktop”) with your desired name, like “HomeServer” or “CodingCave”. Afterward, save the changes (usually with Ctrl + O and then Enter to confirm) and exit nano (Ctrl + X). Next, you should update the `/etc/hosts` file to reflect the new hostname. Use:

      sudo nano /etc/hosts

      Find the line that looks like 127.0.1.1 Ubuntu-Desktop and change “Ubuntu-Desktop” to your new hostname. Save and exit again. To apply the changes, you can either reboot your system or run the command hostnamectl set-hostname YOUR_NEW_HOSTNAME. This change should happen immediately, but rebooting ensures that all applications pick up the new hostname without any issues.


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