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Author: Ricky Bryce (Montgomery County, Illinois)

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Setting Your Host Name


You registered your domain name, so now we will set this up on the server.

For this example, I'm going to assume you are already logged in as root using PUTTY.


  1. From the root prompt, type: cd /etc/sysconfig


(CD = Change Directory) Then you need a space followed by the directory we are changing to (/etc/sysconfig)


  1. Now type vi network


(VI is a text editor) Then we need a space followed by the file we want to edit (network)


  1. Now, edit your host name. You can use your cursor keys to navigate to the location where you will be changing the host name, then press the letter i to insert text.


  1. Now set your host name as shown (be sure to use your own host name though)




  1. Now you must save your changes.

    1. Press the escape key on your keyboard (upper left) (This will escape the insert mode, and put you back into command mode.)

    2. Now press :wq colon, then w for write (save), and q for quit (exit).



  1. Next, we need to edit the host file. Type cd /etc/


  1. type vi hosts


  1. tap “i” on your keyboard for insert mode.


  1. Using your arrow keys, move to the very end (right side) of the last line in your hosts file.


  1. Now press ENTER on your keyboard to go to the next line.



  1. Now enter your IP address followed by a tab. Then your server alias, then tab, and server name. Use the example below to help you. Your file will be similar to this one. (Be sure to use your OWN IP Address address and domain names.



  1. Now we need to save the file:

    1. Press ESC on your keyboard to enter command mode.

    2. Now Press :wq (colon, then w for write, and q to quit.)


  1. Now you are ready to reboot. Just type reboot at the command prompt, and close PUTTY.