setuname(1M)

setuname -- change sysname or hostname

Synopsis

setuname [-s sysname] [-n hostname] [-t]

Description

Use the setuname command to change the values for the sysname and hostname parameters (see uname(1) for descriptions of these parameters). One or both of the -s and -n options must be specified.

The options and arguments for this command are:

-s sysname

sysname specifies the new value for the sysname parameter, and can contain alphanumeric characters and the special characters dash (``-''), underbar (``_''), and dollar sign (``$'').

It is normally not advisable to change the sysname, as applications may depend on the default value of ``UnixWare''. See uname(1) for notes on using the SCOMPAT variable to change sysname for applications that require a specific value other than the default. Also see ``What system is this?'' in Porting, integration, and compatibility for more on uname return values.

-n hostname

hostname specifies the new network host name (also known as the ``node name'') and can contain alphanumeric characters and the special characters dash (``-''), underbar (``_''), and dollar sign (``$''). The host name is the name by which this system is known to other computers in a networked environment. This option changes the contents of /etc/nodename.

Be aware that if you change the network host name, other software may break unexpectedly; so, it is good practice not to change a host name once it is set. For example, networking software and application packages may save the node name of your system at the time the package is installed.

Specifically, setuname does not change the host name in the /etc/inet/hosts file that is used by the TCP/IP software. Therefore, each time you change the host name, you need to locate all the files where it has been saved and change the value.

You will also have to notify the administrators of other machines on the network of the host name change.

-t

Temporary change. No attempt will be made to create a permanent change. If -n is also specified, the file /etc/nodename is left unchanged.

The system architecture may place requirements on the size of the system name and network host name. The command will issue a fatal warning message and an error message if the name entered is incompatible with the system requirements.

Files

/etc/nodename: file containing that part of the specified hostname up to the first period (``.''); sometimes called the ``node name'')

References

sysinfo(2), uname(1), uname(2)

Notices

setuname attempts to change the parameter values in the running kernel and in files used during a system reboot. A temporary change (-t) changes only the running kernel.