Could not reliably determine the server's fully qualified domain name, using 127.0.1.1. set the 'servername' directive globally to suppress this message

could not reliably determine the server’s fully qualified domain name, using 127.0.1.1. set the ‘servername’ directive globally to suppress this message

LectureNotes said could not reliably determine the server’s fully qualified domain name, using 127.0.1.1. set the ‘servername’ directive globally to suppress this message

Answer:

When you encounter the message “Could not reliably determine the server’s fully qualified domain name, using 127.0.1.1. set the ‘servername’ directive globally to suppress this message,” it typically indicates that Apache HTTP Server is unable to determine the fully qualified domain name (FQDN) of the server. This can be resolved by configuring the ServerName directive in the Apache configuration file.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to resolve this issue:

1. Identify the Apache Configuration File:

  • The main Apache configuration file is usually located at /etc/apache2/apache2.conf or /etc/httpd/conf/httpd.conf, depending on your Linux distribution.

2. Edit the Configuration File:

  • Open the Apache configuration file using a text editor with root privileges. For example, you can use nano or vi:
    sudo nano /etc/apache2/apache2.conf
    
    or
    sudo nano /etc/httpd/conf/httpd.conf
    

3. Set the ServerName Directive:

  • Add or modify the ServerName directive to include your server’s FQDN or IP address. For example:
    ServerName yourservername.example.com
    
    If you do not have a domain name, you can use the server’s IP address:
    ServerName 127.0.1.1
    

4. Save and Close the File:

  • Save the changes and close the text editor. In nano, you can save by pressing CTRL + O and exit by pressing CTRL + X.

5. Test the Configuration:

  • Before restarting Apache, test the configuration to ensure there are no syntax errors:
    sudo apachectl configtest
    
  • You should see a message like Syntax OK.

6. Restart Apache:

  • Restart the Apache service to apply the changes:
    sudo systemctl restart apache2
    
    or
    sudo systemctl restart httpd
    

By setting the ServerName directive, you inform Apache of the server’s fully qualified domain name, which resolves the warning message.

Additional Tips:

  • Check Hostname: Ensure your server’s hostname is correctly set. You can check it using:

    hostname
    

    To set the hostname, you can use:

    sudo hostnamectl set-hostname yourservername.example.com
    
  • DNS Configuration: Ensure your server’s FQDN is properly configured in your DNS settings if you are using a domain name.

Following these steps should resolve the warning message and ensure that Apache can reliably determine the server’s fully qualified domain name.