Purpose of knowledge article

• Discuss the differences between the 3 types of names that a macOS has: ComputerName, LocalHostname, and HostName
• Provide instructions on how to view each type of name
• Provide instruction on how to change each type of name

Resolution

ComputerName

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• To see the ComputerName:
  • On the menu bar, click the Apple icon >>> System Preferences or System Settings >>> Sharing >>> Computer Name
  • In the Terminal application, run the command hostname
  • In the Terminal application, run the command sudo scutil --get ComputerName
• To set change the ComputerName:
  • On the menu bar, click the Apple icon >>> System Preferences or System Settings >>> Sharing >>> Computer Name
  • In the Terminal application, run sudo scutil --set ComputerName "newname"
• User-friendly name for Mac computers
• Use for identifying Apple computers on the local network

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• Usually is the same as ComputerNamewith .local added at the end
• To see the LocalHostname:
  • On the menu bar, click the Apple icon >>>  System Preferences or System Settings >>> Sharing >>> Edit >>> Loacl Local Hostname
  • In the Terminal application, run the command hostname 
  • In the Terminal application, run the command sudo scutil --get LocalHostName
• To set change the LocalHostName:
  • On the menu bar, click the Apple icon >>>  System Preferences or System Settings >>> Sharing >>> Edit >>> Loacl Local Hostname
  • In the Terminal application, run sudo scutil --set LocalHostName "newname"
• Another name is local network name
• Use for identifying Apple computers on the local network 
• Use by Bonjour-compatible services

HostName

• To see the Hostname:
  • In the Terminal application, run the command sudo scutil --get HostName
• To set change the HostName:
  • In the Terminal application, run sudo scutil --set HostName "newname"
• The HostName is provided by the DHCP server that the Apple computer connects to
• Typically not set by the user and best not to set it
• Use by outside the local network (external network/Internet) to identify Apple computers

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