VPLEX: How to verify or change the hostname on the VPLEX Management Server

A. How to determine the cluster you are on

To check what cluster you are on, access the vplexcli then run the command

ll /management-server

example:

VPlexcli:/> ll /management-server/

/management-server:

Attributes:
Name             Value
---------------  --------------
cluster-ip-seed  1 <<< cluster you are on
part-number      100-564-932-00
serial-number    FCNMC193100014 <<< VPLEX TLA

B. How to verify the VPLEX hostname

To check the hostname of the management server you are on run the following command from the Management Server:

cat /etc/HOSTNAME

Note: this is only really good when the HOSTNAME has been changed

Example:

        /-- hostname -\
service@ManagementServer:~> cat /etc/HOSTNAME
ManagementServer <-- current hostname

Note: "ManagementServer" is the default hostname when shipped from manufacturing.

Normally the VPLEX hostname is changed during initial installation under the "Connecting to the service port" portion of the installation guide of each platform. If you want to change the hostname from the factory default, as shown above follow the steps below.

C. Steps to change the hostname of the management server

1. To change the hostname of the management server run the following command:

          sudo /opt/emc/VPlex/tools/ipconfig/changehostname.py -n < NEW HOSTNAME>

  
        Example:

  service@ManagementServer:~> sudo /opt/emc/VPlex/tools/ipconfig/changehostname.py -n <new hostname>

service@ManagementServer:~> sudo /usr/sbin/service-maintenance-window -f

------------------------------ WARNING ---------------------------------------
You are about to be granted temporary privileged shell access of VPLEX
to perform advanced maintenance or servicing tasks.

As this shell has higher privileges, non-expert usage of this shell can
result in damage to your VPLEX as well as compromising of various
security features.

Respond Yes only if you are authorized and qualified to perform advanced
VPlex maintenance and/or servicing.

Make sure to:
1 - limit your use of this shell to only those items
that require this level of elevated privilege.
2 - exit this elevated privilege shell when you have finished using it.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
service@ManagementServer:/home/service # 
service@ManagementServer:/home/service # hostnamectl set-hostname DC-South-VS6-C1
service@ManagementServer:/home/service #

• Allow time for the hostname script to update the VPLEX, it takes roughly 40 to 60 seconds.
• Only Alpha (upper and lower case), numbers and a dash can be used, no other special characters, . ? / * @ ^ % # + = _ ~ : space cannot be used.
• Also DO NOT use the Linux OS hostname command to make this change.
• Should you be prompted to enter the CST Lockbox passpharse, it is Mi@Dim7T

2. To verify the Change is successful you will need to logout of the management server and then back in to see if the change was successful.
   When you log back into the management server the system prompt should reflect the new HOSTNAME.
    
   Example:

login as: service
Using keyboard-interactive authentication.
Password:
Last login: day month date HH:MM:SS YYYY from x.x.x.x
service@DC-South-VS6-C1:~>  
        \new hostname/