dev_change_name(9)

📦 version 7.3.1, in nixpkgs unstable

💅 dev_change_name(9) — the Kernel API Manual page you didn't know you needed ✨

okay so picture this: you're deep in kernel land, it's 2am, and you just need to rename a network device. that's it. that's the whole page. it's dev_change_name(9) from the Kernel API Manual and honestly? she's short, she's sweet, she's giving "one job and she does it." 🎀

🌸 NAME 🌸

dev_change_name — change name of a device 💫

like literally just... changing a name. that's the vibe. no cap.

✨ SYNOPSIS ✨

int dev_change_name (struct net_device *dev , const char *newname );

look at her. two args. clean. iconique. 👑

🦋 ARGUMENTS 🦋

  • dev — the device. like, the actual device you're renaming. bestie, you gotta tell her which one. 🫶
  • newname — the name (or format string), and heads up: it must be at least IFNAMSIZ. don't come in with a tiny string, she will Not be having it. 💀

💖 DESCRIPTION 💖

so you wanna change the name of a device? say less. this does exactly that. 🔥

and here's the little extra sprinkle on top: you can pass format strings like "ethd" for wildcarding. the way that just... lets you pattern-match a name. iykyk. ✨

🌈 RETURN 🌈

  • 0 on success — slay, we ate, no crumbs. 🎉
  • -errno on failure — ngl, that's the "it didn't work, go check your errno" situation. 😭

🧚 SEE ALSO 🧚

the kernel file ./net/core/dev_api.c and honestly her whole friend group:

main character energy across the board. go read them. obsessed. 💜

and that's the whole page bestie — no hidden lore, no secret options, no plot twists. just a rename function living her truth. 🦋

mwah 💋 that's a wrap from ./net/core — October 2026 edition, filed under dev_change_name(9). go rename something iconic, ily, bye! 🎀✨

📦 where this page comes from