hostname Command

Purpose

Sets or displays the name of the current host system.

Syntax

/usr/bin/hostname [ HostName ] [ -s ]

Description

The /usr/bin/hostname command displays the name of the current host system. Only users with root user authority can set the host name. The mkdev command and the chdev commands also set the host name permanently. Use the mkdev command when you are defining the TCP/IP instance for the first time.

You can use the System application in Web-based System Manager (wsm) to change system characteristics. You could also use the System Management Interface Tool (SMIT) smit mkhostname fast path to run this command.

Flags

Item	Description
-s	Trims any domain information from the printed name.

Parameters

Item	Description
HostName	Sets the primary name of the host.

Note: You must have root user authority to use the HostName parameter.

Security

Attention RBAC users and Trusted AIX users: This command can perform privileged operations. Only privileged users can run privileged operations. For more information about authorizations and privileges, see Privileged Command Database in AIX® Version 7.1 Security. For a list of privileges and the authorizations associated with this command, see the lssecattr command or the getcmdattr subcommand.