Updated: 22 October 2026 · Applies to: SUSE Linux / openSUSE
Show the current hostname
hostname
or:
hostnamectl
Change the hostname without restarting
sudo hostname new-server-name-here
Then edit /etc/hostname and update it to the new name:
sudo vi /etc/hostname
Then edit /etc/hosts and update the line that has your old hostname:
sudo vi /etc/hosts
Change a line like:
127.0.1.1 old-host-name
to:
127.0.1.1 new-server-name-here
Save and close the file.
Using hostnamectl on systemd-based SUSE (12 and later)
SUSE 12 and later use systemd, so you can rename the host in one step. Check the current setting:
hostnamectl
Set a new hostname, for example from old-host to new-host:
sudo hostnamectl set-hostname new-host hostnamectl
Setting a static hostname with YaST
YaST is SUSE/openSUSE's configuration utility. To set the hostname through it:
sudo yast
or, for the newer interface:
sudo yast2
Navigate with Tab and the arrow keys: go to System, then Network Settings, press Enter, then use the arrow keys to reach Hostname/DNS. Use Tab and Shift+Tab to move between fields, set the hostname and domain name, Tab to OK and press Enter to save, then Tab to Quit and press Enter to exit.
The command-line methods above take effect without touching YaST at all, which is usually faster for a one-off rename; use YaST itself when you want to change other network settings (such as the domain name or DNS servers) in the same session.
