How to change system hostname in Ubuntu

hostname is set during the installation process of Ubuntu. The hostname is used for many things, especially as an identifier within the local network.

You can change the hostname of your Ubuntu system using hostnamectl command from the terminal.

1. Launch terminal.
2. Check current hostname using hostname command.

   user@host:~$ hostname
   host

3. Set new hostname using hostnamectl.

   user@host:~$ sudo hostnamectl set-hostname newhostname
   [sudo] password for user:

4. Run hostname again to confirm hostname change.

   user@host:~$ hostname
   newhostname

5. Run a new shell to see the change in shell prompt.

   user@host:~$ bash
   user@newhostname:~$

   This only works if $PS1 is set to display the hostname.