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Obsolete Releases => SME Server 7.x => Topic started by: nunogt on October 18, 2007, 08:52:58 PM

Title: Recommended way to change my hostname?
Post by: nunogt on October 18, 2007, 08:52:58 PM
Hey guys,

What would be the recommended way to change the hostname of an already configured machine? I've looked into the templates system and it seems to get the var SystemName from the database, but I'm not sure how to change it and if additional configuration is required.

Thanks in advance :)
Title: Re: Recommended way to change my hostname?
Post by: cactus on October 18, 2007, 09:14:01 PM
Hey guys,

What would be the recommended way to change the hostname of an already configured machine? I've looked into the templates system and it seems to get the var SystemName from the database, but I'm not sure how to change it and if additional configuration is required.

Thanks in advance :)
I guess the best way is to log in on the terminal as admin and reconfigure your system.
Title: Re: Recommended way to change my hostname?
Post by: nunogt on October 18, 2007, 09:18:47 PM
I guess the best way is to log in on the terminal as admin and reconfigure your system.
Thanks, but how would I do that? And how exactly does it work? I can't afford losing user accounts, custom templates, global settings, etc.
Title: Re: Recommended way to change my hostname?
Post by: cactus on October 18, 2007, 09:26:56 PM
Thanks, but how would I do that? And how exactly does it work? I can't afford losing user accounts, custom templates, global settings, etc.
If you are really afraid of losing data, you need to make a backup of your server first. But I would take the bet... perhaps if you are running it as a domain controller you might need to unregister clients to join them later but I do not know this for sure.

To login as admin as a terminal you can either sit in front of the computer or use SSH to connect to the server. The reconfiguration screens look like the onces you had at setup, if you just modify the hostname and other settings you will probably not loose any data.
Title: Re: Recommended way to change my hostname?
Post by: nunogt on October 18, 2007, 11:10:15 PM
If you are really afraid of losing data, you need to make a backup of your server first. But I would take the bet... perhaps if you are running it as a domain controller you might need to unregister clients to join them later but I do not know this for sure.

To login as admin as a terminal you can either sit in front of the computer or use SSH to connect to the server. The reconfiguration screens look like the onces you had at setup, if you just modify the hostname and other settings you will probably not loose any data.

I don't recall being able to change the hostname from the reconfiguration tool, but I'm not 100% sure. Are you sure it's possible?
Title: Re: Recommended way to change my hostname?
Post by: cactus on October 18, 2007, 11:11:38 PM
I don't recall being able to change the hostname from the reconfiguration tool, but I'm not 100% sure. Are you sure it's possible?
Nope... but my guess was that if it should be anywhere it should be there.
Title: Re: Recommended way to change my hostname?
Post by: byte on October 18, 2007, 11:14:26 PM
Are you talking about changing your "Primary domain name" or "system name" ? This is the option you use when first setting up via console.
Title: Re: Recommended way to change my hostname?
Post by: nunogt on October 19, 2007, 01:03:12 AM
Are you talking about changing your "Primary domain name" or "system name" ? This is the option you use when first setting up via console.

I'm talking about the system name you input during installation, along with your domain, ip address, server type, etc...
This: http://wiki.contribs.org/images/d/d3/Select_system_name.png

I need to change it without losing my other settings, customized templates, etc... Any ideas?
Title: Re: Recommended way to change my hostname?
Post by: cactus on October 19, 2007, 08:10:04 AM
I don't recall being able to change the hostname from the reconfiguration tool, but I'm not 100% sure. Are you sure it's possible?
Nope... but my guess was that if it should be anywhere it should be there.
I have checked it and in screen two of the reconfigure 'wizard' you can type in the system name.

(http://www.snetram.nl/wp-content/uploads/temp/SME%20Server%20installer%20hostname.png)
Title: Re: Recommended way to change my hostname?
Post by: p-jones on October 19, 2007, 09:36:33 AM
I changed my system a couple of weeks ago with no adverse effects. I just logged in as admin, selected, server configuration and worked through to the end.

Originally rubbish.mydomain.com  finished as rubbish.mydomain.local.

Good practic would dictate a backup just in case. I didnt need it and the whole process took less than 5 minutes. User accounts, ibays etc were unchanged and undamaged.

HTH
Peter
Title: Re: Recommended way to change my hostname?
Post by: nunogt on October 19, 2007, 10:25:27 AM
How is that configuration screen launched? I thought it was from the web inteface | reboot or shutdown | reconfigure , but apparently we're not talking about the same thing. All the web interface reconfiguration does is reboot the system, reload a few tables into mysql and regenerate the configuration files. It won't let me change any settings.
Title: Re: Recommended way to change my hostname?
Post by: TrevorB on October 19, 2007, 04:34:40 PM
How is that configuration screen launched? I thought it was from the web inteface | reboot or shutdown | reconfigure , but apparently we're not talking about the same thing. All the web interface reconfiguration does is reboot the system, reload a few tables into mysql and regenerate the configuration files. It won't let me change any settings.
No the Server Console (http://wiki.contribs.org/SME_Server:Documentation:Administration_Manual:Chapter6) (ie. the screen attached to your server, or if you don't have one attached via SSH (http://wiki.contribs.org/SME_Server:Documentation:Administration_Manual:Chapter11#SSH)).

Trevor B
Title: Re: Recommended way to change my hostname?
Post by: nunogt on October 20, 2007, 02:02:29 AM
No the Server Console (http://wiki.contribs.org/SME_Server:Documentation:Administration_Manual:Chapter6) (ie. the screen attached to your server, or if you don't have one attached via SSH (http://wiki.contribs.org/SME_Server:Documentation:Administration_Manual:Chapter11#SSH)).

Trevor B

Oh, I see. I was logging in as "root". According to the documentation, only the "admin" login will give me access to the server console. Will try it Monday.

Thanks everyone for your precious help.
Title: Re: Recommended way to change my hostname?
Post by: kruhm on October 22, 2007, 05:40:55 AM
"Oh, I see. I was logging in as "root"."

This will work. Just type: console (after root login).
Title: Re: Recommended way to change my hostname?
Post by: p-jones on October 22, 2007, 05:50:41 AM
Well maybe it will but what a long winded way.....
Title: Re: Recommended way to change my hostname?
Post by: kruhm on October 22, 2007, 05:55:17 AM
"NO. Walk up to your server and at the login promp type admin then the password."
What are you referring to? My added tidbit or something else?

"Have you read ANY of the manual ?"
heh...heh... lol