Changing hostname on a device?

WetGeek

When I realized a while ago that it isn't enough to change the network name of a computer with just the hostname command, I began to wonder just what all it would take to do that safely and with minimal complications.

For example, after changing the name of my primary laptop from malachite-solus-4-1 to malachite-solus-4-1-budgie, I was unable to launch most applications from the menu. Also, when I rebooted, the name reverted to the original. Because the name is also important in that it identifies the backup data on a remote server, I'd like to find out how to change it safely when it comes time to move from 4.1 to 4.2 for all the Solus machines at this location.

I'm pretty sure that others will be interested in knowing how to do this in a way that will preserve full functionality while allowing us to identify our computers accurately in situations where that is important. I'm hoping that there will be a relatively simple way to do this that doesn't involve nuking our present installations and starting over with a complete new installation. I shudder at the thought of all the configuration that would be required if that were necessary.

Any ideas?

WetGeek

WetGeek I began to wonder just what all it would take to do that safely and with minimal complications.

Does anyone know everywhere the host network name must be changed in order for it to become permanent? Changing it with the hostname command from a terminal prompt just changes it for that terminal session, but it's restored to the original name upon a reboot.

I'm trying to avoid having to reinstall Solus on a bunch of computers just to change a "1" to a "2" in the host names for those machines. (The host names need to agree with the names of the backup repositories (which are just folders) for those machines. The repository names are trivial to change, but the host names are becoming a sticky wicket.)

I'd really like to hear from someone who knows the Solus internals sufficiently well to advise me about this.

Harvey

WetGeek
Change it in the following places:
/etc/hostname
/etc/hosts

and reboot

If you are unaware you can use nano to edit the file:
sudo nano /etc/hostname
sudo nano /etc/hosts

WetGeek

Harvey If you are unaware you can use nano to edit the file:

Thanks, but i much prefer micro to nano. All I needed to know is where to make the changes.

I'll give that a try, and see if I can still launch applications from the Budgie menu. You've been a big help! If this works, you'll have saved me a lot of work.

WetGeek

WetGeek You've been a big help!

Indeed, those two little changes were all that was necessary to effect the change I needed. Thanks once more!