What is the hostname command? Explain how to check and change the host name

Explanation of IT Terms

What is the hostname command?

The hostname command is a utility available in various operating systems, including Linux, Unix, and macOS. It allows users to view and modify the hostname of a computer or network device.

The hostname refers to the unique name assigned to a system or device, which is used to identify it on a network. It can be a combination of letters, numbers, and hyphens. For example, a typical hostname could be something like “mycomputer” or “webserver-1”.

How to check the host name:

If you want to check the current hostname of your system, follow these steps:

1. Open the terminal or command prompt on your operating system.
2. Enter the following command:

For Linux and Unix-based systems:

hostname

For macOS:

scutil –get HostName

3. Press the Enter key or Return key.

The hostname command will display the current name assigned to your system.

How to change the host name:

To change the hostname of your system, follow the instructions based on your operating system:

For Linux and Unix-based systems:

1. Open the terminal.
2. Log in as the root user or use the sudo command to gain administrative privileges.
3. Enter the following command:

hostnamectl set-hostname

Replace with the desired hostname you want to set.

4. Press the Enter key.

The hostname command will update the hostname of your system. You can verify the change by using the hostname command again.

For macOS:

1. Open the Terminal.
2. Log in as an administrator or use the sudo command to gain administrative privileges.
3. Enter the following command:

sudo scutil –set HostName

Replace with the desired hostname you want to set.

4. Press the Enter key.

The hostname command will set the desired hostname for your macOS system. You can use the scutil –get HostName command to verify the change.

It is important to note that the hostname change will take effect immediately on your local machine. However, it may require additional configuration on the network to reflect the updated hostname if you are part of a larger network environment.

In conclusion, the hostname command is a useful utility for checking and changing the hostname of a computer or network device. Understanding how to use this command can be helpful when managing systems on a network or when setting up remote connections.

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