How to Change the Hostname of a WHM/cPanel Server

What is a hostname?

A hostname is the name of your server, such as server.example.com. It works like a name tag. Other computers and mail servers use it to identify yours.

WHM is the Web Host Manager. It is the admin panel used to manage a whole server. cPanel is the panel each website owner uses.

Before you start

• Choose a hostname that is a fully qualified domain name, for example server.yourdomain.com. It should be a subdomain, not your main website address.
• Create an A record for this name in DNS. It must point to your server's main IP address. An A record links a name to an IP address.
• Take a backup. Changing the hostname can affect mail and licenses.

Steps

1. Log in to WHM as root. The address is usually your server IP followed by :2087.
2. In the search box at the top left, type Change Hostname.
3. Click Change Hostname under Networking Setup.

   

   

4. Type the new hostname in the box.

   

5. Click Change.
6. Wait while WHM updates the settings.
7. Open Basic WebHost Manager Setup and check the hostname is shown correctly.

Check it from the command line

If you use SSH, you can confirm the change:

hostname

This prints the current hostname of the server.

After the change

• Check that the A record works.
• Ask Hostvento support if you need the reverse DNS (PTR record) for the IP updated to match. This helps your emails reach inboxes.
• If you use an SSL certificate for the hostname, issue a new one. In WHM, search for Manage Service SSL Certificates.

  

Quick recap

• You need root access to WHM.
• Create the A record first.
• Use Change Hostname under Networking Setup.
• Check reverse DNS and SSL afterward.