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Change System Hostname ​

Change System Hostname sets the server's own name. The hostname identifies the machine to other systems and appears in the headers of every message it sends, so it is worth choosing once and leaving alone.

Change System Hostname

Overview ​

URL: /admin/settings/change-hostname

The page is reached by its address; it is not listed in the sidebar. The server identity you usually want, along with branding and networking, is on General Settings.

What the page shows ​

  • Current Hostname - the name the server answers to now.
  • New Hostname (required) - the name to change it to.

Change Hostname applies the new name.

Choosing a hostname ​

The hostname has to be a fully qualified domain name, that is a host part and a domain, such as host.example.com.

The field itself accepts letters, numbers, and hyphens, and rejects a name that starts or ends with a hyphen. Beyond what the field enforces:

  • Keep it under 60 characters.
  • Use lowercase letters.
  • Do not start it with www or with a digit.
  • Keep each label distinct, rather than repeating a word.

Pick a name you will never want as a customer subdomain. A hostname such as panel.example.com blocks that name for hosting later on, and the name is visible in outgoing mail headers, so choose something neutral.

Warning: Changing the hostname affects mail and the certificate the panel serves for itself. Point the new name at this server in DNS before you change it, and check SSL Certificates afterwards.