How to change Vagrant ‘default’ machine name?

I found the multiple options confusing, so I decided to test all of them to see exactly what they do.

I’m using VirtualBox 4.2.16-r86992 and Vagrant 1.3.3.

I created a directory called nametest and ran

vagrant init precise64 http://files.vagrantup.com/precise64.box

to generate a default Vagrantfile. Then I opened the VirtualBox GUI so I could see what names the boxes I create would show up as.

1. Default Vagrantfile

   Vagrant.configure('2') do |config|
       config.vm.box = "precise64"
       config.vm.box_url = "http://files.vagrantup.com/precise64.box"
   end
   

   VirtualBox GUI Name: “nametest_default_1386347922”

   Comments: The name defaults to the format DIRECTORY_default_TIMESTAMP.

2. Define VM

   Vagrant.configure('2') do |config|
       config.vm.box = "precise64"
       config.vm.box_url = "http://files.vagrantup.com/precise64.box"
       config.vm.define "foohost"
   end
   

   VirtualBox GUI Name: “nametest_foohost_1386347922”

   Comments: If you explicitly define a VM, the name used replaces the token ‘default’. This is the name vagrant outputs on the console. Simplifying based on zook‘s (commenter) input

3. Set Provider Name

   Vagrant.configure('2') do |config|
       config.vm.box = "precise64"
       config.vm.box_url = "http://files.vagrantup.com/precise64.box"
       config.vm.provider :virtualbox do |vb|
           vb.name = "foohost"
       end
   end
   

   VirtualBox GUI Name: “foohost”

   Comments: If you set the name attribute in a provider configuration block, that name will become the entire name displayed in the VirtualBox GUI.

   Combined Example: Define VM -and- Set Provider Name

   Vagrant.configure('2') do |config|
       config.vm.box = "precise64"
       config.vm.box_url = "http://files.vagrantup.com/precise64.box"
       config.vm.define "foohost"
       config.vm.provider :virtualbox do |vb|
           vb.name = "barhost"
       end
   end
   

   VirtualBox GUI Name: “barhost”

   Comments: If you use both methods at the same time, the value assigned to name in the provider configuration block wins. Simplifying based on zook‘s (commenter) input

4. Set hostname (BONUS)

   Vagrant.configure(VAGRANTFILE_API_VERSION) do |config|
     config.vm.hostname = "buzbar"
   end
   

   Comments: This sets the hostname inside the VM. This would be the output of hostname command in the VM and also this is what’s visible in the prompt like vagrant@<hostname>, here it will look like vagrant@buzbar

Final Code

    Vagrant.configure('2') do |config|
        config.vm.box = "precise64"
        config.vm.box_url = "http://files.vagrantup.com/precise64.box"
        config.vm.hostname = "buzbar"
        config.vm.define "foohost"
        config.vm.provider :virtualbox do |vb|
            vb.name = "barhost"
        end
    end

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So there it is. You now know 3 different options you can set and the effects they have. I guess it’s a matter of preference at this point? (I’m new to Vagrant, so I can’t speak to best practices yet.)