Terminal IP Address

Your shell does a reverse DNS lookup using the current DHCP assigned IP address, and the local to your school DNS server replied with the information displayed.

When you are at home, generally your home router is your local DNS server, and it will reply differently.

If the DNS server does not find anything, then the Mac defaults to your System Settings -> Sharing -> Computer name.

It is easy enough to try, and revert back if you do not like the behavior.

hbdw_ wrote:

Why is my terminal showing this:

user@[ipaddress] ~ %

When I'm connecting to my school network?

When I'm connecting to my home network, it does not show any ip address, just the normal computer name. I didn't ssh to it or anything. It just pops up as I connect to the network.

I tried removing the preferences.plist. But, after reboot its still the same after I connect to the network.

When I open up the sharing section in settings. The name is still my custom device's name.

Also, when I typed:

echo $HOSTNAME

It prints out a blank output

try

echo $HOST 

you are logged into your University Network with name & password, you are not on your .local console on your own private network

The Network has you identified as user@[ipaddress] ~ % and communicating via that address

you can read more—

https://www.serviceobjects.com/blog/ip-address-vs-domain-in-an-email-address/

I am sure some of the experts can say more here...