Localhost

[Ralph E. Kenyon, Jr.]

On Thu, 07 Apr 2005 10:08:38 -0400, Scott Mertens <smertens at mho.com> wrote:

> How can I change my computer name from Localhost to an actual sensible  
> name. I think it would have to be changed in the hosts file, but it must  
> have to be changed somewhere else?
>
> [scott at localhost ~]$
>
I think you can't get rid of "localhost", but you can add a local name to  
the /etc/hosts file

Mine has:

127.0.0.1 localhost.localdomain localhost linux.net xenodochy.org  
ballroomdances.org

I know there is a "real" "www.linux.net" out there on the internet at  
195.86.89.114, but if I enter "linux.net", in my browser, I get my local  
pages served by tux and apache.  If I enter "www.linux.net", I get the  
"real" internet version (which is down right now).

This setup allows me to see local copies of my two domains if I enter  
ballroomdances.org or xenodochy.org without the "www" prefix.  If I add  
the "www" prefix, then my browser will go get the copy from my hosting  
site.  This arrangement is very useful for development.

As I understand it the name "localhost" is required for network  
functioning.  Somebody please correct me if my understanding is wrong.


-- 
Ralph E. Kenyon, Jr.
http://www.xenodochy.org/ralph.html
191 White Oaks Road
Williamstown, MA 01267-2259
Phone: 413-458-3597

Home pages:
http://www.xenodochy.org
http://www.ballroomdances.org
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