Changing hostname does not update hosts file [#67738]

Submitted by janderk on Sat, 11/09/2019 - 10:25

When changing the hostname on Debian 9 the hosts file is not updated. There is an entry in /etc/hosts for the 127.0.1.1 ip number:

127.0.1.1 name.domainname.com name

This is correctly set when first installing the server, but not updated when changing the hostname from webmin. I haven't found any impact on my server, but is probably best to make sure the hostname in in the hosts file is updated correctly.

Status:

Active

Comments

Submitted by janderk on Sat, 11/09/2019 - 10:39 Comment #1

Although the documentation says that with a fixed ip number that number should be in the hosts instead of the 127.0.1.1. I am a bit confused what is the best practice here. Maybe this should not be a bug rapport, but an forum question instead.

Submitted by JamieCameron on Sat, 11/09/2019 - 15:32 Comment #2

Actually, as long as you have the box checked on the Hostname and DNS Options page to update the hosts file entry, and the hosts file has a line for the old hostname, it should be updated.