Computer Name, can it be changed?
 

I just installed redhat 9.0 hoping it would fix a networking issue I had with 8.0.

With the 9.0 installation, i didn't notice any screen to enter my computers name, or add users for that matter. The latter doesn't matter, I can do that manually, but what I'd really like to be able to rename my computer.

Right now its set to some mess like x1-6-00-f4-2c-62-8f or some nonsense.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

James Meyer
aka Aldyn

P.S. Its running a Server install, so there is no X-windows or anything graphical. So please only post solutions that will work from the command line.

Thanks again

If you want to change the hostname then do:

hostname ThisIsMyServer

Is that what you are looking for?

No, that didn't seem to do it.

For example. Right now when I book up at the console, it says:

Red Hat Linux release 9 (Shrike)
Kernel 2.4.20-8 on an i686

x1-6-00-40-f402c06208f login:

I was this ^ to be something else.

The redhat 8.0 installation let me choose a name, but the 9.0 installation didn't seem to. I am just wondering if I can change it.

Because when I log in, I also have:

[user@x1-6-00-40-f402c06208f user]#

as the prompt, which is a bit long and spammy, and just plain ugly, i think.

Thanks again.

Create a file /etc/hostname and put one word in it, your hostname and a newline (enter key pressed after the word).

You may have to add it to your /etc/hosts file as well. Here is mine for an example:# Redhat links
RedHat Linux Manuals
Maximum RPM
rpmfind
Easier software management: apt4rpm - Red Carpet
RedHat 8.0 Tips & Tricks

# Redhat 7.3 down configuration commands
setup leads to several configuration tools

# Redhat 7.3 up configuration commands
Configure soundcard:
redhat-config-soundcard
Configure X server:
redhat-config-xfree86
Configure network:
redhat-config-network

# Redhat 9.0
Redhat 9.0 Upgrading the kernel
Building a custom kernel

Tried both, no luck.

I found out though that if I do

uname -n

It shows up as that, which is the nodename or something.

If that helps.

James

Check out the 'nodename' command. I don't know if you want to change that value though. Not sure what it is exactly. If your just worried about the prompt then change your PS1 value:

PS1="What is thy bidding? "

Have a look at /proc/sys/kernel/hostname
 

Try 'cat /proc/sys/kernel/hostname'. If it shows x1-6-00-40-f402c06208f then write 'echo "MyNewComputerName" >/proc/sys/kernel/hostname'.

What do you get with 'uname -n' and 'echo $PS1'?

Hope that helps

Dennisa:

No, still no luck, but what it did do it prevent MySQL and HTTPD from initializing on boot up.

Crashed_Again:

I can't seem to find the nodename command. And its not just the prompt I'm worried about. The computer name comes up in a variety of actions and commands. And that long string is large nuisance compared to a shorter name.

I'm going to try a reinstall and see if perhaps I just missed a screen or something.

I'll let you all know how it went.

Bah! Giving up so soon? If you 'man hostname' you will see the nodename command in there. If you were feeling adventurous you could grep for that string:

grep -R x1-6-00-40-f402c06208f /etc/*

It may take a little bit but I'm sure you'd find what you are looking for.

Heh, not giving up, I'm checking too see if i missed a screen. After installing again, I now know I didn't, so its back to the grind.

Got it figured out.

I just changed a line in
/etc/sysconfig/network

Thanks for all your help though. Its much appreciated.