Articles on: Hosting

How to Change a Server Hostname & Add DNS Entry in WHM

"Overview"


The server hostname is a key identifier that helps your server establish its online identity.

Changing your hostname via WHM (Web Host Manager) ensures accurate system recognition and adds a professional touch to your Thamara VPS or Dedicated Server.

Important: Changing the hostname may temporarily restart some services.

We recommend performing this during off-peak hours to minimize interruptions.


  1. Log in to WHM
    • Access your WHM at:

https://yourdomain.com/whm or https://yourdomain.com:2087

    • Use your root username and password.
    • If you face any access issues, please contact [Thamara Support]().


  • Search for “Network”
    • In the WHM search bar, type Network.
    • Under Networking Setup, click Change Hostname.


  • Enter the New Hostname
  • In the Change Hostname section, type the new fully-qualified domain name (FQDN).

Example: server1.thamara.cloud

    • Click Change to apply.


  • Confirm the Change
    • WHM will display a confirmation message while updating your hostname.
    • Ensure the new hostname resolves to your server’s main IP address.


  • Add DNS Entry for Hostname
  • In the WHM search bar, type Add Entry for Your Hostname and open it. erify your server’s details and click Add Entry.This automatically creates the correct “A” DNS record for the new hostname.

 


Hostname Rules & Recommendations

  • Use a fully-qualified domain name (FQDN), e.g. server1.yourdomain.com
  • Avoid hostnames starting with www, numbers, or ending with a hyphen (-)
  • Keep it under 60 characters
  • Don’t use hostnames that match a cPanel account or service subdomain (e.g., whm.example.com)
  • Only use lowercase Latin letters
  • Avoid socially inappropriate names — they appear in email headers

After the Change

  • Services like MySQL and Exim may restart automatically.
  • Some logs will update to use the new hostname.
  • Access to Calendars and Contacts (CalDAV/CardDAV) may be temporarily unavailable, but will restore automatically once the hostname update completes.

For any assistance or if you prefer Thamara’s technical team to handle the change for you, simply [open a support ticket]().

Updated on: 07/11/2025

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