# How to Set and Change Hostname in Rocky Linux

> URL: https://www.atlantic.net/dedicated-server-hosting/how-to-set-and-change-hostname-in-rocky-linux/ | Published: 2026-06-17 | Updated: 2026-06-18 | Author: Hitesh Jethva

When working in a local environment, each system is assigned an IP address to distinguish it from other hosts on the network. However, remembering IP addresses for every **server** can be difficult, especially in large infrastructures. A hostname provides a more user-friendly way to identify systems and allows machines to communicate using names instead of IP addresses.

This guide explains how to perform a Rocky Linux change hostname operation using several methods. The instructions apply to both Rocky Linux 9 and Rocky Linux 10. If you are migrating from CentOS or another Linux distribution, the process is very similar.

## Step 1 – Check Your Current Hostname

Before you change hostname settings, it is important to check the current hostname configured on your system.

You can check it using the following command:

```
hostnamectl
```

You should see the current hostname of your system in the following output:

```
     Static hostname: rocky
           Icon name: computer-vm
             Chassis: vm 🖴
          Machine ID: c0b9710ec77a40fd91a1887844dc0166
             Boot ID: af19459c03a44f9383ba620f61dd6f44
        Product UUID: c0b9710e-c77a-40fd-91a1-887844dc0166
      Virtualization: kvm
    Operating System: Rocky Linux 10.0 (Red Quartz)       
         CPE OS Name: cpe:/o:rocky:rocky:10::baseos
      OS Support End: Thu 2035-05-31
OS Support Remaining: 9y 7month 2w                        
              Kernel: Linux 6.12.0-55.21.1.el10_0.x86_64
        Architecture: x86-64
     Hardware Vendor: QEMU
      Hardware Model: Standard PC _i440FX + PIIX, 1996_
    Firmware Version: 1.15.0-1
       Firmware Date: Tue 2014-04-01
        Firmware Age: 11y 6month 2w
```

The output provides useful system information, including the **static hostname**, **KVM operating system** details, **computer VM chassis** information, **VM machine ID**, **cpe os** identifier, and **Red Hat hardware model** compatibility details.

As you can see, the current hostname of your system is rocky.

#### Also Read

[How to Set Path in Linux](https://www.atlantic.net/vps-hosting/how-to-set-path-variable-in-linux/)

## Step 2 – Change the Hostname Temporarily

If you want to change the hostname of your system temporarily, you can use the following syntax:

```
hostname new-hostname
```

After a reboot, logout, or restart, the **new hostname** will revert to the previous hostname.

For example, to change the hostname to **newpc**, run the following command:

```
hostname newpc
```

This method is useful for testing changes in a development **environment** before applying them permanently.

## Step 3 – Change the Hostname Permanently

The recommended method is to use the **hostnamectl command**. This utility updates the system’s **static hostname** and allows you to **modify** hostname settings without editing configuration files manually.

Use the following syntax:

```
hostnamectl set-hostname new-hostname
```

For example, to change the hostname of your system to **newpc**, run the following command:

```
hostnamectl set-hostname newpc
```

After running the command, **verify** the change with:

```
hostnamectl
```

The system will immediately **update** the hostname for the current session and future reboots.

### Optional: Set a Pretty Hostname

Linux systems also support a **pretty hostname**, which is a more descriptive display name that can contain spaces and special characters. This is useful for desktop systems and virtual machines.

Example:

```
hostnamectl set-hostname "Production Web Server" --pretty
```

The pretty hostname does not replace the actual hostname used by the **network**.

## Step 4 – Change the Hostname Using /etc/hostname File

You can also change the hostname by editing the hostname configuration file. In this case, you will need to restart your system to apply the changes.

To change the hostname, edit the **/etc/hostname** file:

```
nano /etc/hostname
```

Replace the old hostname with a new hostname:

```
newpc
```

Save the file and **exit** the editor. Then restart your system to apply the changes:

```
reboot
```

#### Also Read

[How to Change or Set User Password in Linux](https://www.atlantic.net/vps-hosting/how-to-change-or-set-user-passwords-in-linux/)

## Step 5 – Update the /etc/hosts File

After changing the hostname, it is a good practice to **modify** the **etc hosts** file so local hostname resolution continues to work correctly.

Open the file:

```
nano /etc/hosts
```

You may see entries similar to:

```
127.0.0.1   localhost localhost.localdomain
127.0.1.1   newpc
```

Ensure the new hostname is associated with **localhost** or the appropriate local IP address.

If your **server** uses a **domain**, you can also configure an **FQDN** (Fully Qualified Domain Name):

```
192.168.1.10   server.example.com server
```

This helps applications resolve the hostname correctly across the **network**.

## Step 6 – Change the Hostname Using NMTUI Tool

You can also change the hostname using the Network Manager Text User Interface (NMTUI).

To **start** the utility, run:

```
nmtui
```

You should see the following dialog box:
 ![nmtui dialog page](https://www.atlantic.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/p1-3.png)
 Select **Set system hostname** and press the **Enter** key. You should see the following dialog box:
 ![nmtui set new hostname page](https://www.atlantic.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/p2-2.png)
 Type your new hostname and click on the **OK**. You should see the following dialog box:
 ![nmtui save new hostname page](https://www.atlantic.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/p3-1.png)
 Click on the **OK** button to change the hostname.

## Verify the New Hostname

Once you have changed the hostname using any method, verify the change with:

```
hostnamectl
```

You can also confirm hostname resolution through the **etc hosts** file and test communication between systems on the **network**.

For systems connected to a **domain**, verify that the configured **FQDN** resolves correctly.

## Conclusion

In this tutorial, we demonstrated several ways to perform a **Rocky Linux change hostname** operation. We covered the **hostnamectl command**, editing the /etc/hostname file, updating **etc hosts**, configuring a **static hostname**, and using the NMTUI interface. We also discussed hostname verification, **localhost** configuration, **FQDN** setup, and hostname management in virtualized **kvm operating system** deployments.

Whether you manage a single **server** or hundreds of **hosts** in a production **environment**, following this **guidance** will help you efficiently **change hostname**, **add** proper hostname mappings, and **update** system identification settings in Rocky Linux.