NAME
hostname – Local hostname configuration fileSYNOPSIS
DESCRIPTION
The /etc/hostname file configures the name of the local system that is set during boot using the sethostname(2) system call. It should contain a single newline-terminated hostname string. The hostname may be a free-form string up to 64 characters in length; however, it is recommended that it consists only of 7-bit ASCII lower-case characters and no spaces or dots, and limits itself to the format allowed for DNS domain name labels, even though this is not a strict requirement.
Depending on the operating system, other configuration files might be checked for configuration of the hostname as well, however only as fallback.
You may use hostnamectl(1) to change the value of this file from the command line.
HISTORY
The simple configuration file format of /etc/hostname originates from Debian GNU/Linux.
Willie has over 15 years of experience in Linux system administration and DevOps. After managing infrastructure for startups and enterprises alike, he founded Command Linux to share the practical knowledge he wished he had when starting out. He oversees content strategy and contributes guides on server management, automation, and security.