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Set OS X hostname from the commandline

Published: 05-12-2012 | Author: Remy van Elst | Text only version of this article


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This little snippets helps you change all the computer names of a computer running Mac OS X. OS X has 3 computernames, and if you want to change all three you need to use the following commands (as root or via sudo):

scutil --set ComputerName "ChangeMe"
scutil --set HostName "ChangeMe"
scutil --set LocalHostName "ChangeMe"

Where you change "ChangeMe" to the computer name you want to set.

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ComputerName is the so-called "user-friendly" name for the Mac, it's what will show up on the Mac itself and what will be visible to others when connecting to it over a local network. This is also whats visible under the Sharing preference panel.

HostName is the name assigned to the computer as visible from the command line, and it's also used by local and remote networks when connecting through SSH and Remote Login.

LocalHostName is the name identifier used by Bonjour and visible through file sharing services like AirDrop

Tags: apple , apple-remote-desktop , ard , hostname , mac , os-x , snippets