This page explains how to change a system's hostname (i.e rename a computer/server)

Executive summary: hostname(1) isn't enough.

Rename a computer

Core networking

Update /etc/hostname
Update /etc/hosts, so local address(es) resolves with the new system name.
Reload the network configuration. You have two options
- Reload configuration files
  This will temporarily disconnect your system from the network (ssh usually resists short disconnection)
```
invoke-rc.d hostname.sh start
invoke-rc.d networking force-reload
invoke-rc.d network-manager force-reload
```
  ToDo: is it useful to reload network-manager?
- or the lazy way: Restart the system.

Application specific

avahi

Avahi is used to publish (announce) local services. If you tweaked /etc/avahi/* you should run:

```
invoke-rc.d avahi-daemon force-reload
```

ssmtp

Ssmtp is a light weight, send-only smtp server.

Adjust /etc/ssmtp/ssmtp.conf (hostname=, etc.). You don't need to restart the service.

other

(to be written)

See also

hostname(1), hostname(7)
?Howto Clone a System - system unique identifiers, to be changed when cloning a system.