how to change the @localhost

ben_weinberg · 04-15-2007, 01:20 PM

This may be a silly question and excuse me if it is. I am new to linux.

How do i change what comes after the @ at the prompt

i.e currently its @localhost

How would i change that to what ever i wanted?

Thanks for any help in advance.

Ben

Lenard · 04-15-2007, 01:25 PM

As root from the console or xterm session type: hostname MyComputerNameHere

Logout and restart the GUI session or reboot, your choice.

nmh+linuxquestions.o · 04-15-2007, 01:28 PM

I am guessing that your hostname is "localhost".
I think you should be able to run:

Code:

$hostname

and find out if it is.

Assuming it is, and that it is a shell prompt (bash even), you can change the hostname for your computer, or just change the prompt.

For changing the hostname, I don't remember this that well, but you can try one or more of:

Code:

#hostname new name

maybe change the contents of /etc/hostname, or see this.

For changing the bash prompt, please see this article.

mether · 04-15-2007, 01:56 PM

If its Fedora or RHEL then make use of /etc/sysconfig/network to set the hostname permanent. Running hostname command will set the hostname but if will go away after a reboot.

Grimmi- · 06-01-2007, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mether

If its Fedora or RHEL then make use of /etc/sysconfig/network to set the hostname permanent. Running hostname command will set the hostname but if will go away after a reboot.

Hmm, when I changed the /etc/sysconfig/network to look like this...

Code:

NETWORKING=yes
NETWORKING_IPV6=yes
HOSTNAME=gurnarok.localdomain

It displays it correctly (grimmi@gurnarok), but when I try to play Ultima Online, I can't connect, it get's stuck at verifying account. When I change it back to localhost.localdomain, the game works again.

Any help?

wmakowski · 06-01-2007, 11:07 AM

After you change your hostname it will be necessary to either restart your network or reboot your computer. As an analogy, you can think of it as someone else moving into your home or apartment and not wanting the previous tenants mail. Although the address is the same, the name is different. To restart your network you can use the GUI or the Command Line Interface(CLI).

Using the GUI follow the menu path System > Administration > Server Settings > Services. It will prompt you for the root password. Then it is a matter of finding the network service and clicking the restart button.

Using the CLI you would start up a terminal window and su to root. Then type the three words: service network restart at the prompt.

Using the hostname and domainname commands is only temporary name change. It is necessary to change the configuration file /etc/sysconfig/network to make it permanent. This can be accomplished using an editor or through the GUI. Follow the menu path System > Administration > Network and then choose the DNS tab, edit the hostname and save. Notice that when you save it will prompt you to restart the network.

Bill