# Changing the Client Computer Name Using SetPreImagednames.exe

It is useful to change the hostname and display name of a client computer through the command line when you install the software using a decoupled install with Custom Package, and when you want to change the name of the computer after the computer is registered.

Caution

To avoid communication issues, the`-displayname` parameter cannot be run on the CommServe computer.

## Before You Begin

- Review the schedules associated with the client. Client schedules must be recreated after changing the name of a client computer. For information on viewing schedules, see Viewing Job Schedules.

- Verify there are no jobs running for the client.

- If you are changing the name or host name of a proxy client or a client behind a proxy, review the information in Network Considerations for Name Change Operations.

## About This Task

- The command must be executed locally and cannot be used to change the name of a remote computer.

- The command updates the client registry. It does not update the CommServe database.

- For clients that are part of a cluster environment, the name change must be performed from the CommCell Console. See Changing the Client Computer Name.

## Procedure

1. Perform the name change on the computer operating system and then verify the following:

   - Verify that the computer is available in the network with the new name. (DNS lookup or other name resolution facilities are appropriately configured to resolve the new name of the computer.)

   - Use ping (or other network connectivity utilities) to verify that the computer with the new name is accessible. Also verify that other computers in the network are accessible to the computer with the new name.

   - Verify that all applications running on the computer, for example, SQL server, Exchange, Server, and Oracle database, function with the new name.

     - To rename a Windows computer that hosts a stand-alone instance of SQL Server, see http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms143799.aspx.

   - To rename a Linux computer that hosts a stand-alone instance of SQL Server, see Renaming a Linux SQL Server Computer.

2. On the client computer, open the command prompt, go to the software_install_directory\Base folder and run the following command:

   Changing the Host Name

       SetPreImagednames.exe CCNAME -hostname newhostname oldhostname -displayname computername

   where:

   - newhostname and oldhostname are the new and old host names of the computer, which should be in the computer.domain.company.com format

   - computername is the name of the computer currently displayed in the CommCell Browser

   Changing the Client Name displayed in the CommCell Browser

       SetPreImagednames.exe CCNAME -displayname newcomputername oldcomputername

   where:

   - newcomputername is the new display name of the computer

   - oldcomputername is the name of the computer currently displayed in the CommCell Browser

   The command displays the "Successfully changed names" message when completed.

3. Restart the services on the client. See Restarting a Service for instructions.

   Important: For clients that contain the File Archiver for Windows/Unix agent, restart the services after the name change. This ensures that stub recalls from these clients function correctly.

## Result

After the services are started, open the CommCell Console. The new name for the computer appears in the CommCell Browser.

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