5 ‘hostname’ Command Examples for Linux Newbies

The hostname command in Linux is essential for viewing and managing your system's network identity. It allows you to display or set the hostname of your system, which is crucial for network identification and communication. This article explores practical hostname command examples that will help Linux newcomers master this fundamental tool.

What is a Hostname?

A hostname is a unique name that identifies a computer on a network. It consists of letters, numbers, and hyphens, and often includes a domain name. For example, web-server or ubuntu.example.com are valid hostnames. The hostname command displays or modifies this system identifier.

1. View Current Hostname

The simplest use of the hostname command is to display your system's current hostname. Open a terminal and run:

hostname

Example output:

ubuntu-desktop

2. Set Hostname Temporarily

You can set a new hostname temporarily using the hostname command. This change will be lost after a system restart:

sudo hostname new-hostname

Verify the change:

hostname

Example output:

new-hostname

3. Set Hostname Permanently

To make permanent hostname changes, modify the system configuration files:

Step 1: Edit the hostname file

sudo nano /etc/hostname

Step 2: Update the hosts file

sudo nano /etc/hosts

Locate the line with 127.0.0.1 and update the hostname entry. Save both files and restart your system.

Modern approach: Use hostnamectl for immediate permanent changes:

sudo hostnamectl set-hostname new-hostname

4. Display FQDN (Fully Qualified Domain Name)

The FQDN includes both the hostname and domain name, providing the complete network address:

hostname -f

Example output:

ubuntu-desktop.example.com

5. Display IP Address Associated with Hostname

To view the IP address linked to your hostname:

hostname -I

Example output:

192.168.1.100 

Additional Hostname Command Options

Check Remote Machine Hostname

Verify the hostname of a remote system using SSH:

ssh user@remote-machine hostname

Display System Information with uname

Alternative method to display hostname:

uname -n

Domain Name Operations

View or set the NIS/YP domain name:

domainname
sudo domainname new-domain-name

Common Use Cases

Conclusion

The hostname command is a fundamental Linux tool for managing system network identity. Whether you need to view the current hostname, make temporary changes, or configure permanent settings, these examples provide the foundation for effective hostname management. Mastering this command is essential for Linux system administration and network troubleshooting.