How do I set the name of my computer permanently?
I can do it from the command line:
>>hostname <myComputerName>

but this isn't permanent.
There must an init file I can do this, just don't know where.

look in /etc/hostname
Might be there

Usually with Redhat it can also be specified in your network scripts or configurations in /etc/sysconfig/network

I'm not totally positive on that location, as I know Redhat has changed it around and I haven't really used Redhat since 6.2 days..

don't have /etc/hostname.
there is /etc/hosts, which contains:
# Do not remove the following line, or various programs
# that require network functionality will fail.
127.0.0.1 localhost.localdomain localhost

but form the comment, doesn't sound like i want to change it.

/etc/sysconfig/networking/profiles/default also exact same file.

think i got it.
added this line to /etc/hosts:
127.0.0.1 localhost.localdomain myComputerName

created /etc/hostname with a one line entry:
myComputerName

in /etc/sysconfig/network changed line to:
HOSTNAME=myComputerName

Createe a new file /etc/init.d/localnet containing the following:

#!/bin/sh
# Begin /etc/init.d/localnet

check_status()
{
if [ $? = 0 ]
then
echo "OK"
else
echo "FAILED"
fi
}

# not sure what these lines do, so commented them out
#echo -n "Setting up loopback device..."
#/sbin/ifconfig lo 127.0.0.1
#check_status

echo -n "Setting up hostname..."
/bin/hostname --file /etc/hostname
check_status

# End /etc/init.d/localnet

change this:
127.0.0.1 localhost.localdomain localhost
to this:
127.0.0.1 hostname.localdomain hostname
where 'hostname' is whatever you want. If you have a permanent ip address you will want to add that as well, ie: duplicate the same line but with your specific ip address.

Also, you should have a file /etc/sysconfig/network that looks like:
NETWORKING=yes
HOSTNAME=hostname
Put your hostname here as well.

ha ha, you got it before I could answer, good one!!
I think you wil want to uncomment those lines you commented however, some programs rely on your loopback address to work properly...

Also put "localhost" back into the hosts file.

NO no no!
You need to keep localhost in there for loopback.
[qoute]Also, you should have a file /etc/sysconfig/network that looks like:
NETWORKING=yes
HOSTNAME=hostname
Put your hostname here as well.[/quote]
That is what you need to do, if you want you can add your hostname to /etc/hosts but you must keep the 127.0.0.1 one the same, just add your hostname next to your IP addy.

Don't have a static ip addr

in /etc/hosts, i now have this:
127.0.0.1 localhost.localdomain localthost
127.0.0.1 myComputerName.localdomain myComputerName


I've uncommented the loopback lines, since apparently they're important.

Not quite - try:

alright, i thinks its all straight.
thanks for everyone's help!