Rapid Deployment Pack

Article: 20000008

Applies to: All releases

The display name is the name shown in the Deployment Console. The computer name is the name of the target server. The display name and computer name are two separate fields in the Deployment Server database and are not always the same value. The information in this article describes how the display name and the computer name fields are populated depending on the Deployment Server options, the Deployment Agent, and the method the operating system is installed on the target server.

When a Server Connects to Deployment Server for the First Time:

Using the Deployment Agents (DOS, Windows, or Linux) under automation, either by way of PXE or boot media, it is added to the New Computers group. The initial display name:

for ProLiant ML/DL and Integrity rx servers is based on the serial number. The initial computer name is the same value as the initial display name.

for HP BladeSystem servers, the initial display name is the concatenation of the Rack name, Enclosure name, and Bay number, for example, UnnamedRack-HP-1. The initial computer name is the last 15 characters of the initial display name.

for VMware ESX virtual machines, the initial display name will be of form, VMware-XX XX XX XX XX XX where XX XX XX XX XX XX is a hexadecimal string including spaces. Spaces in the name are not NETBIOS compliant for Windows scripted installs. The spaces will be removed automatically during the scripted install by code in the default answer file. The initial computer name is the same value as the initial display name.

for Microsoft Virtual Server virtual machines, the initial display name will be the virtual machine serial number. The initial computer name is the same value as the initial display name.

NOTE: There is a database limitation that could cause the beginning of the name to be truncated if the name is greater than the number of characters allowed for that database field.

Using the Deployment Agent for Windows under production, it is added to the New Computers group. The initial display name is the actual computer name.

Using the Deployment Agent for Linux under production, it is added to the New Computers group. The initial display name is the actual hostname.

When a Server is Deployed:

Using a Windows or Hyper-V scripted install or Sysprep job, the default behavior will set the computer name to the last 15 characters of the display name. If the Synchronize the display name with computer names option is enabled, the display name will change to the computer name.

Using a Linux scripted install job, the default behavior will set the computer name (hostname) to the display name.

Using a VMware ESX scripted install job, the default behavior will set the computer name (hostname) to the DNS name if DNS has been configured, or localhost. If the Synchronize the display name with computer names option is enabled, the display name will change to the hostname.

Using an image deploy job, the computer name will be set to the value of the computer name database field. The provided deploy image install jobs have the Automatically perform configuration task after completing this imaging task option enabled. If this option is not enabled, the computer name will be a duplicate of the computer name in the image. If the Synchronize the display name with computer names option is enabled, then the display name will change to the computer name.