HPE IMC 7.3 - Overwrites Cisco Router Hostname

[bazzap]

The site I am working on is managing 50+ cisco routers through IMC. I notice that whenever we try
to change the router hostname, after we re run SNMP test it will default the router hostname to first two characters of the hostname. It only
seems to occur on Cisco routers and irrespective of IOS version or SNMP type.

For example if the hostname is BR.TEST.Router after running Modify SNMP test the hostname of
the switch will be reset to BR. If the hostname is set to HC.Test after running Modify SNMP Test it will change
the hostname to HC

I am wondering if this is a bug or maybe some compliance policy? Am very new to IMC so would
greatly appreciate some help.

[jguse · Accepted solution]

Hello,

It is a bit unusual to use a period in the hostname - normally this character would be used to separate different parts of the FQDN. Typically a hostname should only have letters, numbers and the hyphen as a special character (and sometimes underscore). I guess these particular devices allow you to use other special characters like the period, or they assume you are entering an FQDN, and that is what is triggering your issue. 

The reason IMC changes your hostname to the first few characters before the period is because it thinks that's the hostname - and ignores the rest which would typically be the domain. The SNMP Test sends two requests to the device to ensure SNMP works - first a GET request for the Hostname (test SNMP Read) and then a SET request to set the hostname to the exact same name as it currently is. If the device confirms the name was changed to the same thing, the SNMP Write access must be working.

In summary, please avoid the period in your hostnames, as this is used to separate parts of the FQDN, and then you should no longer see this issue.

[bazzap]

Thanks Justin, that worked