system name versus node name

[Luc Monnens]

Dear all,

I moved my samba server running on Redhat 6.2 linux to a CIFS running on hp-ux 11i v2.
To keep my life simple, I wanted to keep my server name "bad_diseases" (12 characters).
When setting up the server it accepted the system name, but complained the node name could only be 8 characters and so it was cut down to "bad_dise".
Now every time I use SAM to look/change network settings, I get a message saying that my system name and my node name differ AND I am given the possiblity to make my system name and node name the same, MEANING making my system name into "bad_dise" as well - not the other way round as I would prefer!

1. Is there a way of having a 12 character node name?
2. If not, why do I need a node name anyway?
3. If not and I do, how do I get rid of that annoying pop-up in SAM?
4. Why is this an issue on the latest hp-ux and not on an old linux release?

Looking forward to your replies.

Kind regards,


Luc

[James R. Ferguson]

Hi Luc:

Historically, the node/hostname is limited to 8-characters and 64-characters respectively. See the manpages for 'hostname' for more information.

With 11.23, there is a new product which enables long (255) names for both:

http://h20293.www2.hp.com/portal/swdepot/displayProductInfo.do?productNumber=NodeHostNameXpnd

Regards!

...JRF...

[Luc Monnens]

Hi James,

Thank you for your quick response.
Indeed installing this package is a solution.
I'll certainly consider it.

1. But if node name is typically 8 characters and system name can be up to 64, why does SAM complains my node name and system name differ and wants to set my system name to be the same as my node name AND thus limit it to 8 characters also?

2. What is the node name user for/by?

Kind regards,

Luc

[James R. Ferguson]

Hi (agani) Luc:

As the manpages for 'hostname' note, it is strongly urged that 'hostname" and 'nodename' be kept the same. These pages also note that various network services look variously at the nodename or the hostname.

In '/sbin/init.d/netconf' you will see that the standard situation is not to set a nodename and let it be derived from the basename of the HOSTNAME variable's value.

Thus, SAM is trying to protect you by calling the difference to your attention.

Regards!

...JRF...

[Luc Monnens]

It's just something one has to live with in hp-ux for now.