Changing Hostname On OpenSUSE

In this short article we will learn how to change hostname on OpenSuse operating system.

Introduction

The hostname is a crucial aspect of a computer’s identity on a network. In the openSUSE operating system, managing the hostname is essential for proper communication and identification. This article will explore the significance of hostnames, how to check the current hostname, and the steps to change it in OpenSUSE.

A hostname is a label assigned to a device on a network. It helps in identifying and accessing the device among other networked systems. The hostname is associated with the device’s IP address, facilitating communication between machines.

How To Change Hostname on OpenSuse

Checking the Current Hostname

Before making any changes, it’s essential to check the current hostname. Open a terminal and enter the following command :

$ hostname

or we also type the following command :

$ hostnamectl

Output will be as shown below :

ramansah@bckinfo:~> hostname
localhost

ramansah@bckinfo:~> hostnamectl
 Static hostname: localhost
       Icon name: computer-vm
         Chassis: vm 🖴
      Machine ID: 01a21647ba5544a9b9fddb762c142762
         Boot ID: 60b1085a26b74229a638d577f3c42ff8
  Virtualization: vmware
Operating System: openSUSE Tumbleweed                                 
     CPE OS Name: cpe:2.3:o:opensuse:tumbleweed:20240201:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
          Kernel: Linux 6.7.2-1-default
    Architecture: x86-64
 Hardware Vendor: VMware, Inc.
  Hardware Model: VMware Virtual Platform
Firmware Version: 6.00
   Firmware Date: Thu 2020-11-12
    Firmware Age: 3y 2month 4w                       

Changing the Hostname

To change the hostname in openSUSE, follow these steps. In this example we will change hostname to bckinfo.

1. Update the /etc/hosts file :

In this example, we will comment the line for :

#127.0.0.1 localhost localhost.localdomain and create a new line for

127.0.0.1 bckinfo

$ sudo vi /etc/hosts
# IP-Address  Full-Qualified-Hostname  Short-Hostname
#

#127.0.0.1      localhost localhost.localdomain
#::1            localhost localhost.localdomain ipv6-localhost ipv6-loopback
127.0.0.1       bckinfo

2. Update the /etc/hostsname file :

$ sudo vi /etc/hostname
bckinfo

3. Reboot the system :

$ sudo reboot

4. Verify the hostname :

The last step is to confirm, if the hostname was changed. For this purpose we will use the command line as we use on first step.

$ hostname

or

$hostnamectl

ramansah@bckinfo:~> hostname
bckinfo
ramansah@bckinfo:~> hostnamectl
 Static hostname: bckinfo
       Icon name: computer-vm
         Chassis: vm 🖴
      Machine ID: 01a21647ba5544a9b9fddb762c142762
         Boot ID: 60b1085a26b74229a638d577f3c42ff8
  Virtualization: vmware
Operating System: openSUSE Tumbleweed                                 
     CPE OS Name: cpe:2.3:o:opensuse:tumbleweed:20240201:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
          Kernel: Linux 6.7.2-1-default
    Architecture: x86-64
 Hardware Vendor: VMware, Inc.
  Hardware Model: VMware Virtual Platform
Firmware Version: 6.00
   Firmware Date: Thu 2020-11-12
    Firmware Age: 3y 2month 4w           

Conclusion

Managing the hostname in openSUSE is a straightforward process that involves editing configuration files and restarting the network service. By understanding the significance of hostnames and following these steps, users can easily customize their system’s identity on the network. Whether it’s for organizational purposes or personal preference, changing the hostname in openSUSE is an accessible task that enhances the overall user experience in a networked environment.