Linux and Computer Names?

Spencer Heidtbrink: Unlike Windows computers which automatically install NetBIOS as a protocol, Linux computers do not always install the equivalent program. You need to install Samba for computer names to work.

Tom Romer: you need to be waiting to easily edit the /etc/hostname document maximum distributions might have a runtime script for the startup runlevel (usually runlevel 3, relies upon on your distribution) which will examine this document and set it consequently at boot time.

Beau Starcevic: There are three ways, but it's really not a good idea.The first way is to use dynamic DNS. Windows machines can be configured to register their host names. Or, if you use DHCP, most DHCP servers can be configured to register their assignments. This requires you to run your own DNS server and configure a 'local zone'. Configure your Linux machine to resolve names in the local zone first. So if you type 'foo' for a computer name, it will first try 'foo.localzone' (or! whatever name you pick). Your nameserver will serve 'localzone' and keep the mapping using dynamic updates.The second way is to use static IP assignments rather than DHCP. Configure each machine with a static IP address, default gateway, and nameserver(s). Then just use the Linux machine's /etc/hosts file (or serve a local zone without dynamic updates) to map names to hosts.The third way is to nmbd (part of Samba) configure the Linux machine (through the /etc/nsswitch.conf file) to try NMB resolution. This will allow the Linux machine to find the hostname by asking which Windows machine has claimed it.Of these ways, only the second is, IMO, a particularly good choice....Show more