Introduction
A hostname is a unique name assigned to a server or computer that helps identify it on a network. In CentOS 7, you can temporarily change the hostname using the hostname command, but the change will be lost after a reboot. To ensure the hostname remains unchanged even after restarting the server, you must configure a permanent (static) hostname.
This guide explains how to set a permanent hostname on a CentOS 7 Minimal Server, whether it is installed on a physical machine, VPS, or virtual machine.
Prerequisites
Before proceeding, ensure you have:
- A CentOS 7 Minimal Server installed
- Root or sudo access to the server
- A desired hostname (for example:
abc.abc.com)
Change Hostname Temporarily
You can change the hostname temporarily using the following command:
hostname abc.abc.com
Verify the current hostname:
hostnamectl
Sample Output
Static hostname: localhost.localdomain Transient hostname: abc.abc.com
The Transient hostname reflects the temporary change. However, after a server reboot, the hostname will revert to its previous value.
Set a Permanent Hostname in CentOS 7
To configure a hostname that persists across reboots, use the hostnamectl command:
hostnamectl set-hostname abc.abc.com
Verify the change:
hostnamectl
Sample Output
Static hostname: abc.abc.com Icon name: computer-vm Chassis: vm Machine ID: 31ff204cc76641e99460750cef4d0e0e Boot ID: 9992b7511b4942c29ea48a0aada0294c Virtualization: vmware Operating System: CentOS Linux 7 (Core) Kernel: Linux 3.10.0-514.el7.x86_64 Architecture: x86-64
The hostname is now stored as the Static hostname and will remain unchanged after system reboots.
Verify Hostname Configuration
You can confirm the hostname at any time using:
hostnamectl status
or
hostname
Both commands should display the newly configured hostname.
Conclusion
Setting a permanent hostname in CentOS 7 is a simple but important system administration task. While the hostname command only changes the hostname temporarily, the hostnamectl set-hostname command ensures the hostname persists after reboots. Using a properly configured hostname improves server identification, network management, monitoring, and troubleshooting.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the difference between a static hostname and a transient hostname?
A static hostname is permanently stored on the system and survives reboots. A transient hostname is temporary and may be assigned by DHCP or changed manually until the system restarts.
2. Do I need to reboot the server after changing the hostname?
No. The hostname change takes effect immediately when using:
hostnamectl set-hostname <hostname>
3. How can I check the current hostname on CentOS 7?
Use either of the following commands:
hostname
or
hostnamectl
Both commands display the current hostname configuration.
Related Articles
- How to Install CentOS 7 on VMware Fusion for Mac OS
- How to Check IP Address on CentOS 7 Minimal Server When ifconfig Is Not Available
- How to Find the Default Gateway in CentOS 7 Minimal Server
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