Renaming Leaf and Container Objects

You may want to rename objects to make their names more descriptive or to reflect your changing environment. For example, you may want to rename a printer from LASER IN BLDG D to LASER IN BLDG A, or an Organizational Unit from SALES to ACCOUNTS.

When you rename an object, Novell Directory Services changes all references to the renamed object.

Renaming a leaf object changes only the object's common name, which is the name that is displayed in the Directory tree. It does not change the object's context. However, renaming a container object changes the object's common name as well as its context.

When renaming a container object, you should seriously consider creating an alias object that points to the container object you're renaming. Then users can continue logging in to the network and can see the container object's original name.

IMPORTANT:  If you rename a container object and do not create an alias, users who are unaware of the object's new name will not easily find the object in the Directory tree, since they will look for its original name.

Also, users may not be able to log in if the name context in their configuration file (NET.CFG file) references the renamed container.

To automatically update users' NET.CFG file with a new name context after you rename a container object, you can place a command in the renamed container's login script that will run the NCUPDATE utility.

Renaming Objects Using NetWare Administrator

Prerequisites

• A workstation running NetWare Administrator
• The Rename object right to the object that you want to rename

Procedure

1. From the MS Windows Program Manager, choose the NetWare Administrator icon.

2. Using the browser, select the object that you want to rename.

3. From the Object' menu, choose Rename.

4. Type the name you want to give to the object you selected.

5. (Optional) Select Save Old Name.

   Select this option if you want the old name saved as a value in the Other Names field of the Details screen.

   With the old name saved, users who don't know the object's new name can search for the object under the old name.

6. (Optional) If you are renaming a container object, select Create Alias in Place of Renamed Container.

   IMPORTANT:  If you don't create an alias, users who are unaware that the container has been renamed cannot easily find the object in the Directory tree. Also, users whose name context in their NET.CFG file references the renamed container might be unable to log in.

7. To save the changes and return to the browser, choose OK.

   If you renamed a container object, you should use the NCUPDATE utility to update the name context of users in the renamed container. For instructions, see NCUPDATE in Utilities Reference.

Additional Information

Renaming Objects Using NETADMIN

Prerequisites

• A workstation running DOS 3.30 or later and the NETADMIN utility
• The Rename object right to the object that you want to rename

Procedure

1. At the DOS prompt, type

   NETADMIN <Enter>

   For information on moving around in NETADMIN and selecting objects, press <F1> after starting the utility.

2. From the NETADMIN Options menu, choose Manage Objects.

   Your current context appears in the upper left corner of the screen.

3. Select the object that you want to rename.

   • If the object appears on the list, select it and press <F10>.
   • If the object is not on the list, browse the Directory by selecting container objects and pressing <Enter> until you see the object you want. Select it and press <F10>.

4. Choose Rename.

5. In the New Name field, enter a new name for the object.

6. Choose Yes to save the old name; choose No to discard the old name.

   Choose Yes if you want the old name saved as a value in the Other Names field of the Details screen.

   With the old name saved, users who do not know the object's new name can search for the object under the old name.

7. To save your changes, press <F10>.

8. To confirm you want to save the new name, choose Yes.

9. (Optional) To create an alias in place of the renamed container, choose Yes.

   WARNING:  If you don't create an alias, users who are unaware that the container has been renamed cannot easily find the object in the Directory tree. Also, users whose name context in their NET.CFG file references the renamed container might be unable to log in.

10. Press <Esc> until you return to the NETADMIN Options menu.

    If you renamed a container object, you should use the NCUPDATE utility to update the name context of users in the renamed container. For instructions, see NCUPDATE in Utilities Reference.

Additional Information