Mac Hostname Configuration

Internal

• Mac
• https://home.feodorov.com:9443/wiki/Wiki.jsp?page=MacNetworking

Procedure

Become root in a terminal.

Then:

1. Change the Primary Hostname

The primary hostname is the fully qualified hostname (example NOMBP2.novaordis.com)

scutil --set HostName NOMBP2.novaordis.com

2. Change the Bonjour Hostname

This is the name usable on the local network (example NOMBP2)

scutil --set LocalHostName NOMBP2

In some cases the ".local" prefix causes an "Invalid argument" failure, so don't use it.

It seems the local name can also be changed as follows:

System Preferences -> Sharing -> Computer Name -> Edit: NOMBP2 (.local will be added by default).

Query:

scutil --get LocalHostName

3. Change the Computer Name

This is the user-friendly computer name you see in Finder

scutil --set ComputerName NOMBP2

It seems the user-friendly name can also be changed as follows:

System Preferences -> Sharing -> Computer Name -> Edit in place (do not click Edit, that changes the local name, see [MacConfiguration#2.ChangeTheBonjourHostname])

Query:

scutil --get ComputerName

4. Flush the DNS Cache

dnscacheutil -flushcache

Restart the computer.