Re: proper way to change ip and hostname

[Brian Kimball <bk@bk.cx>]

Matthew Lenz wrote:
> rather than grep xarging /etc for occurances of the ip and hostname
> is there a proper "debian way" of changing them?

Others have already led you in the right direction.  To summarize:

1) change IP address: edit interface information 
in /etc/network/interfaces

2) change hostname: edit /etc/hostname and /etc/hosts

3) update nameserver information in /etc/resolv.conf 
or /etc/network/interfaces if you use the resolvconf package.

But that only handles the bare minimum.  You will also need to 
reconfigure any software that has your old hostname, IP address, 
netmask, network address, etc., hardcoded in its config files.  In this 
case grepping everything in /etc is the only sure-fire way to remember 
what needs to be changed and what doesn't.

Note the above: you need to grep for more than just your IP address and 
hostname.  For example, I run the cups printing service and have the 
statement "Allow From 64.172.171.64/29" in cupsd.conf which allows 
network printing from all my other IP addresses.  Grepping for any one 
of my IP addresses (.65, .66, .67, .68, .69) would not have reminded me 
that I need to change that statement to my new settings.

So, in short, grepping /etc _is_ the "proper" way.  It feels brute force 
but it isn't really.  In fact, it helps you learn your system.  Someone 
else mentioned that when they were in a similar sitation they were told 
to reinstall.  BLECH!!  That's gross.  _That_ would be improper.
 
hth,

      brian