You Don't Just Get an FQDN in Ubuntu, You EARN It (Unless You're Lazy)
Ah, the FQDN. It rolls off the tongue like a fancy dessert you can't quite pronounce, yet desperately want to order. But fear not, intrepid Ubuntu adventurer, for acquiring an FQDN on your system is far less intimidating (and way less messy) than navigating a foreign menu.
There are two main ways to snag this majestic beast of a name:
1. The Heroic Way (For Those Who Crave Adventure)
Tip: Skim only after you’ve read fully once.![]()
This path is fraught with peril... well, maybe not peril, but some typing. But hey, isn't that what being a hero is all about?
- Step 1: Embark on a Quest to Find Your Current Name
Open up your trusty terminal window (because who needs a boring old mouse when you have the command line?) and type in the following:
Tip: Read at your natural pace.![]()
hostname
This magical incantation will reveal your current hostname, which is like your first name in the FQDN world. Write this down, because you'll need it later.
- Step 2: Craft Your Legendary FQDN
Now comes the exciting part - designing your epic FQDN. Think of it like your hero's codename. Do you want to be known as serverofdoom.local
or something a little more subtle, like myfantasticadminmachine.com
? The choice is yours!
Reminder: Focus on key sentences in each paragraph.![]()
- Step 3: Forge the Bond in the Fires of /etc/hosts
This might sound scary, but /etc/hosts is just a special file that helps your computer translate names. You'll need to edit it with sudo privileges, which is basically like saying "please" really nicely to your computer overlord. Here's a breakdown:
- Open your favorite text editor (nano is a good choice for the faint of heart).
- Find a blank line and type in your computer's IP address (you can find this by running
ifconfig
in the terminal), followed by a space, and then your glorious FQDN. - Save the file and exit the editor.
Voil�! You've conquered the /etc/hosts and emerged victorious with a brand new FQDN. High five yourself, hero!
QuickTip: Don’t ignore the small print.![]()
2. The Lazy Adventurer's Guide (Because We All Have Those Days)
For those days when heroism feels a bit much, there's a simpler option:
- Seek Guidance from the Cloud
If you're using a cloud service like DigitalOcean or Amazon Web Services, they often handle FQDN configuration for you during setup. Check your provider's documentation for specifics, but it usually involves setting it up in their control panel. Easy peasy.
Remember: No matter which path you choose, make sure your FQDN matches the actual domain name you've registered (if applicable). You wouldn't want to answer to the wrong name in a sword fight, would you?
So there you have it, the thrilling tale of acquiring an FQDN in Ubuntu. Now go forth and conquer the digital world, with your hero's codename emblazoned on your digital shield!