Geeks - computer naming schemes

**Hitcher** · 23rd June 2009, 11:44

At work we've started using tennis players.

Our three new web servers are Borg, Federer and Nadal. Borg's serve has been a bit off since last Wednesday.

**SpankMe** · 23rd June 2009, 11:49

Got one customer who names their servers after fictional/mythical characters.

azrael
banshee
centaur
crippen
cyclops
draco
dracula
gargamel
ghoul
gigan
godzilla
greyhawk
gryffon
hydra
jabberwock
kraken
mesaana
nymph
ogre
orc
sphinx
tarkin
vader
warlock
witch
wolfman
wraith
wyvern
zelda
zurg

While another customer just uses two letters followed by four numbers. Bloody confusing when it's hundreds of servers.

**vifferman** · 23rd June 2009, 11:54

For some reason, most of our servers at work start with a 'Z', then the name of the function, e.g., "zdomain" for our domain server, "ztesting" for testing, and so on.
At home, #2Geek/Son calls them seemingly random, unrelated names: succubus (used for sucking stuff out of the Interdweeb), kain ("karen and ian"), greenie (now defunct, but was once spray-painted green), and I don't know the other four machines, but I think one's called 'chronokun' which is what #3Son's name is (apparently).
The wireless network has some totally random name (literally) "because it's more secure", unlike the neighbour's wireless, which gets used sometimes "to teach him not to be so dumb".

**Forest** · 23rd June 2009, 13:14

Originally Posted by Devil

Planets/stars/constellations.

Unfortunately we have 250 servers here so we have to have a sensible naming convention so we can figure out what the hell a machine is doing.

No. No. No!

Eventually you'll end up with a server called Uranus. Which leads to awkward dialogue like the following:

"What did you do with the files for the ABC project?"

"I been storing them in Uranus".

**Krayy** · 23rd June 2009, 13:18

Originally Posted by yod

Chuck Norris

just call all of them Chuck Norris

I don't need to explain why

Now THAT's farkin' funny

Bu srsly, how 'bout diseases or illnesses?

Diarrhea, Measles, Gingerness etc

**Devil** · 23rd June 2009, 13:30

Originally Posted by Forest

No. No. No!

Eventually you'll end up with a server called Uranus. Which leads to awkward dialogue like the following:

"What did you do with the files for the ABC project?"

"I been storing them in Uranus".

I need to patch uranus! Make sure you've taken a dump beforehand!

**Lias** · 23rd June 2009, 14:02

Our work ones are generally named for the Telecom abbreviation for the region (HN for Hamilton etc), the subnet its on, its purpose and generation. Like HN33FP2 for the 2nd File & Print server on the Hamilton 33 subnet.

My home boxen are generally interesting latin words.
Mortis, Obitus, Servitus, etc

**Taz** · 23rd June 2009, 14:09

Ralph......

**JMemonic** · 23rd June 2009, 14:16

Originally Posted by Forest

No. No. No!

Eventually you'll end up with a server called Uranus. Which leads to awkward dialogue like the following:

"What did you do with the files for the ABC project?"

"I been storing them in Uranus".

There is a shipping line that names their ships after planets a little awkward name on the radio.

**Hitcher** · 23rd June 2009, 14:32

Not strictly related to naming servers, but in the same spirit is a story I heard some years ago involving a major IT company.

This company had for years used TLAs to name its projects. Once project ZZZ was completed, a new naming convention was needed.

European rivers were chosen, but these were exhausted in reasonably short order.

Along came Project Phlegm. Fearing a plethora of projects named for bodily fluids, senior management swooped and suggested that FLAs could be used for project names...

**3L4NS1R** · 23rd June 2009, 14:39

Here everyone's workstation is named after a sesame street character that most closely resembles their personality.

ie.
Grumpy Boss: Oscar
Girl Who is Constantly Eating: Miss Piggy
Strange mishapen guy: Floyd
Token Gay Guy: Elmo
Me: Animal

**monkeymsea** · 23rd June 2009, 16:53

Use the different transformers

Optimus Prime
Starscream
Megatron etc...

**Mikkel** · 23rd June 2009, 17:34

Originally Posted by Hitcher

FLAs

FFLAs thank you very much.

**discotex** · 23rd June 2009, 19:50

Originally Posted by Lias

Our work ones are generally named for the Telecom abbreviation for the region (HN for Hamilton etc), the subnet its on, its purpose and generation. Like HN33FP2 for the 2nd File & Print server on the Hamilton 33 subnet.

What do you do when you re-number your network or move a server between offices?