nodename

Nodename refers to the label assigned to a device or entity that participates as a node in a network or distributed system. It identifies, addresses, and distinguishes the node from others within the same environment. In ordinary computing, nodename is commonly synonymous with the system hostname—the human-readable name assigned to a computer. The nodename is used by networking protocols, logging, and management tools to route traffic and record events. On Unix-like systems the nodename can be viewed with commands such as hostname or uname -n, and it is usually stored in local configuration files like /etc/hostname. In Windows, the equivalent concept is the computer name, which is set in system properties and can be retrieved via environment variables or the hostname command.

In more complex environments such as clusters or cloud deployments, a nodename may be a stable identifier that survives reboots or rebinds. It is used by orchestration and scheduling systems to assign tasks, report status, and coordinate resources. Some systems differentiate between a short nodename and a fully qualified domain name (FQDN), with the latter including the domain path to make the node globally unique.

Best practices encourage using stable, DNS-resolvable names, avoiding changes that break references in scripts or certificates. Documentation should cover naming conventions, scope of authority, and processes for updating dependent configuration.

See also: Hostname, DNS, Fully Qualified Domain Name, Node (computing).