How can I stop the Node Name from changing when the hostname changes?

Perhaps someone could also explain the difference between Node Name and System Name in the database?

I believe it is really how the application work. It Orion NPM will always update the NodeName once the hostname change via DNS lookup request by Orion on its server.

@bigmclargehuge, as I understand it, since NPM is sending an SNMP GET to the cisco devices..  SNMP GET "device name",  the device receiving this request (from an authorized requestor) will reply via SNMP with whatever is set on the device as "device name".   The only way i see possible for you to retain the devices names in NPM even after they are changed on the actual device is to manage them as ICMP only, which would in turn not give you any other stats other than UP/Down status and availability reports... 

Main difference between the two database column:

System name is what SolarWinds get from the SysOID of your managed device. This cannot be edited from the web console since it is being polled every polling interval unless edited from the device' console/ CLI.

Node Name on the other hand, is the name you can use to edit the node name from the web console. Once edited, it will be saved on the database and should not change unless it has been edited again.

Hope that helps.

I see what you are saying. However, none of our cisco device names are in DNS. No DNS changes are happening. But we are changing the local hostnames.

I appreciate your response. The weird thing is, when I change the hostname on our cisco devices, SOME of them will change the Node Name in Orion. Of course the system name changes too, but I need to be able to stop the Node Name from changing.

hmmm.. strange indeed. my node didn't change when I updated the node name (probably because I have not run any change on the device)

mind opening a ticket so the team can further investigate?

I have just opened a ticket regarding this.

In earlier versions, if you forced a node to a particular name, then it stayed even if the hostname changed. So even adding a dash or a space or whatever caused SolarWinds to "honor" the set name rather than updating based on DNS or the hostname variable.

Not sure if that's still the case, but you can give it a shot.

Hey bigmclargehuge,

Could you please post here the ticket number? Thanks!