The -rename option is only supported for Netbios names (Cifs servers joined to an NT4 domain)

It is not supported for Compnames (Cifs servers joined to a Windows AD domain)

What are you trying to achieve?

Claude

You should open a Service Request

Could be that the Netbios name is too long (I think 15 chars max) or contains unsupported chars or is the same as a previously deleted compname or netbios name

Tech Support could look at that db.localgroup file you mentioned

Claude

Thanks for the reply Claude.

I'm trying to retain the shares of my established CIFS servers as I convert them to ARX (F5 Networks) virtual services.  The command has allowed me to retain the shares while renaming the CIFS server.  I need to set the CIFS server name to -old so I can utilize the original CIFS server name on the network.  The command set I used was:

STEP 1:  server_cifs server_2 -Unjoin compname= ,domain= ,admin=UserID  This is successful.

STEP 2:  server_cifs server_2 -delete compname=   This is successful.

STEP 3:  server_cifs server_2 -add netbios= ,domain= ,interface= This is successful.

STEP 4:  server_cifs server_2 -rename -netbios    This is failing with the error.  It has worked on several now it does not.

STEP 5:  server_cifs server_2 -delete netbios=   This has worked but since step 4 fails I cannot get to this point.

STEP 6:  server_cifs server_2 -add compname= ,domain- ,interface=   Same as above this worked at one time now I dont even get to this point because of step 4)

STEP 7:  server_cifs server_2 -Join compname= ,domain= ,admin=

My local vendor found this would allow me to keep the share information by doing this temporary conversion.  I had it working for several then it stopped.  I wondered if I had filled up some sort of configuration file or something, or there is some corruption somewhere.  It seems to work if I stop using the -old name and use something else.

I did this with three other servers (all CIFS W2K3) without an issue.  Just all of a sudden its not working.

Is this clear?

Look at the output of server_cifs command, it will tell you what is the Netbios name of your Compname

Claude

Thanks Claude.  I thought that might be the case.  I've been repeatedly using that name and its failed.  I suppose I could use yet another name for the time being but thought there might be an easy way to clear those netbios names out.

Thanks for answering this!

Dave

.server_config -v “lg remove vs=OLDCIFSSERVERNAME forever”

this command deletes all local CIFS server information, including local shares, be very careful.

Be careful with server_config (it is not documented and intended to be used by Tech Support)

As for removing a Cifs server "for ever", the server_cifs command has an option which is -remove_lg

Doing so will remove all information about the Cifs server from the NAS database (name, SID, local groups, local users etc...) And you will no longer be able to rename it

Claude

that's the point, if you are trying to rename a CIFS server to say CIFS-NEW ..if CIFS-NEW existing before and it was deleted, sometimes not everything gets deleted all the way ( i've had it many times), so the command above will make sure that everything about CIFS-NEW gets deleted.  Obviuosly if somebody is not comfortable or not sure what to do, need to open a ticket with support.

Thanks guys for the information on .server_config.  That was going to be another question as to whether this was undocumented or not -- I wasn't able to find it in the command reference.

I guess I made more out of it than I needed to as I can use any name here (instead of CIFSNAME-OLD).  The process removes the temporary name anyway.  I just have to remember what names I've already used.

Thanks for the suggestion about opening a case with support.

Dave