How do I change name of server on local network?

joeman3429 · 10-21-2008, 01:32 AM

I just installed Ubuntu 8.04 server edition, and I'm just trying to figure out how to be able to refer to the computer on my local network by it's name. When I installed, I named it joebuntu (I know, clever), but when I try to go to http://joebuntu, or even joebuntu:80, or ssh into joe@joebuntu, it doesn't find it.

Naturally if I replace joebuntu with it's local ip it works fine.

So am I missing something really simple? I feel like this normally works just fine how I want it too.

billymayday · 10-21-2008, 01:36 AM

How many computers on your network? If only a couple, you can add the name to the hosts file - something like

Code:

1.2.3.4       joebuntu

If you havea lot of machines you'd be better off setting up a dns server.

joeman3429 · 10-21-2008, 01:50 AM

in the /etc/hosts file I already have an entry:
127.0.1.1 joebuntu.gateway.2wire.net joebuntu

uh, 2wire is the name of my router btw.

Is that what's causing the problem? Hmm, I changed it to

127.0.1.1 joebuntu

and reboot, but it didn't seem to have an effect.

And yeah, just 3 computers on a home network.

tredegar · 10-21-2008, 07:09 AM

You need another line in /etc/hosts:

LAN.IP.OF.SERVER joebuntu.gateway.2wire.net joebuntu

eg

192.168.0.3 joebuntu.gateway.2wire.net joebuntu

fragos · 10-21-2008, 05:50 PM

On a LAN you could address the server as "joebuntu.local".

billymayday · 10-21-2008, 05:52 PM

You need to put the entry in the client hosts files.