Hostname and Computer name different

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Level 1

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Hostname and Computer name different

Hi,

I am running OSX 10.8.2 on an iMac 13,1 model.

I am on a domain network (this.edu for anonymity) and would like to set up the computer to be accessible on the domain network.

Previously, the way this was done was to change the computer name (Sys prefs > Sharing), then restart, and it should read as follows in the sharing section:

"Computers on your local network can access your computer at: template.local" - assuming I typed template as the computer name

Remote login: "To log in to this computer remotely, type 'ssh localuser@template.this.edu'."

Remote Management: "Other users can manage your computer using the address template.this.edu."

Now, when I tried it, it reads as the following:

"Computers on your local network can access your computer at: template.local" - this is correct

Remote login: "To log in to this computer remotely, type 'ssh localuser@this23454.this.edu'." - random hostname...?

Remote Management: "Other users can manage your computer using the address this23454.this.edu"

Terminal command shows the following:

$hostname

this23454.this.edu

$sudo scutil --set HostName template.this.edu

$hostname

template.this.edu

Even when the hostname shows the correct name in terminal, the sharing section of sys prefs still shows "this23454.this.byu" as the hostname.

I've tried restarting multiple times.

Any ideas?

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Feb 28, 2013 3:19 PM

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Answer 1

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,673 points

Feb 28, 2013 6:08 PM in response to krichreborn

The hostname is irrelevant. You need a fixed IP address, and the DNS for the domain "this.edu" has to have a record pointing to that address. Only the network administrator can make those changes.

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Answer 2

Feb 28, 2013 7:08 PM in response to krichreborn

Try the following to set the computer name:

sudo networksetup -setcomputername NAME

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Answer 3

BobHarris

Level 9

55,367 points

Feb 28, 2013 8:24 PM in response to krichreborn

I suspect your school is not going to give you a fixed IP address. So I would suggest getting a free dynamic DNS name from No-IP.com or DynDNS.org, then run a dynamic DNS updating app provided the service that gives you the dynamic DNS name. Then you will be able to access your iMac from anywhere on campus. And if your campus does not firewall the domain forcing the use of a Proxy server to access the outside world, then you would be able to access your iMac from off-campus.

Template.local is only valid on the same LAN where other computers can see yours via Bonjour protocols. Bonjour protocols will not cross a router boundary. A school.edu domain tends to be larger than a single LAN, so Bonjour will not be visible all over campus. And Bonjour names will not be visible outside school.

The bash shell running in a Terminal session takes your IP address and does a reverse DNS lookup to see what the DNS server is calling your IP address. If and only if the DNS server does not return a name will the Mac OS X name lookup daemon mDNSResponder return the System Preferences -> Sharing -> Computer name.

But this name will still not be visible outside your LAN.

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