Well, I see no answer for the same problem in other threads, though the questions are somewhat different.

I have a host that I changed its name, from host2 to host4. Everything seem to be fine, until I noticed that the hostname field in /var/log/messages is still reported as host2. It might explain a problem with kerberos login, that does not succeed.

Can someone explain me, and some other people on other threads, where the syslogd takes the hostname from, and why it's still the old name, while `hostname` report the new name, all other systems connect to the right host via the network, and (this is no-brainer) the bash prompt \h gives the right new name?

Thanks.

When I run the following

[myhost:/etc/sysconfig]:find . -name '*' -exec grep -H myhost '{}' ';'
./networking/profiles/default/hosts:192.168.X.X myhost
./networking/profiles/default/network:HOSTNAME=myhost
./network:HOSTNAME=myhost
[myhost:/etc/sysconfig]:

I see that the hostname for the default adapter is set in a different place than the global hostname. You might want to make sure you do not have different values in each place. I have had a similar problem before.

I think you need a reboot to ensure all software gets the new name correctly. Ignore this comment if you've done that...

For me 'sysctl -w kernel.hostname=newhostname' followed by restarting syslogd is what changes it w/o reboot.

Problem is solved. The name in /var/log/messages was remedied by restarting syslogd, a reboot was done to make sure all other caches are cleared, as well.

Thanks to all responders.