How to rename a Rivendell host

Once created, a Rivendell hostname cannot be changed in RDAdmin. However, it can be done. Here are instructions on how to do it compliments of Fred Gleason with kibitzing from Michael:

1. ) Before doing anything else, Back up your database! Then if you really foul things up you have someplace to go back to.
2. ) On the workstation to be changed, close all Rivendell applications, stop the Rivendell daemons and the asihpi driver.
3. ) From another workstation, in RDAdmin->ManageHosts, click 'Add', set 'Base Host On' to the name of the host you wish to rename. Fill in the desired new name in 'New Host Name', then click 'OK'. NEVER USE UPPER CASE LETTERS IN THE HOSTNAME! When the Edit Host dialog comes up, just click 'OK' with the default values (IP address = 0.0.0.0). WARNING: Do not even look at any of the module settings yet. It will greatly increase your workload and frustration factor.
4. ) On the workstation to be changed, go into Yast > Network Services > DNS and Hostname and enter the new hostname. NEVER USE UPPER CASE LETTERS IN THE HOSTNAME! NOTE: This applies to SuSE 10.0. YMMV.
5. ) From another workstation, change RDCatch events referring to the old host to the new host. This must be done prior to deleting the old host otherwise those events will be lost. If you have a lot of events to edit, see the advanced instructions below.
6. ) Select the old host from the list in RDAdmin and click 'Delete'
7. ) On the workstation to be changed, start the asihpi driver, then the Rivendell daemons.
8. ) Select the new host from the list, click 'Edit', fill in the correct IP address, then click 'OK'. Check the various modules to insure the proper audio services are correct. Also check any switcher, router, GPIO settings and variables.

If you have any macro carts (--e.g. using the CC RML) that refer to the host by name, you will still need to rename those by hand, but the above procedure should give you a new host config with settings identical to the old one. Likewise RDCatch events -- any that were set to use the old host will need to be changed to use the new one.

Don't forget to update appropriate /etc/hosts and DNS files.

By the way, did I mention NEVER USE UPPER CASE LETTERS IN THE HOSTNAME!?

Advanced instructions.

If you have a lot of RDCatch changes to make and have the courage to enter the bowels of mysql, here are some steps to batch change the hostname. If you do not understand any of the terms or procedures below, don't try it. it may take you longer to fix it than it was worth.

1. ) Before doing anything else, Back up your database! Then if you really foul things up you have someplace to go back to.
2. ) Open a terminal window. Enter 'mysql -A -h <database hostname> -u rduser -p Rivendell'
3. ) At 'Enter password:' put in the database password for rduser.
4. ) Enter the following commands. Case matters. NEVER USE UPPER CASE LETTERS IN THE HOSTNAME!
5. ) UPDATE DECKS SET STATION_NAME="<new host name>" WHERE STATION_NAME="<old host name>";
6. ) UPDATE RECORDINGS SET STATION_NAME="<new host name>" WHERE STATION_NAME="<old host name>";
7. ) Exit mysql monitor.
8. ) Check RDCatch to insure everything changed as you want it.

These steps worked to change six workstations in a network. Variations in your configuration may require tweaking of these steps. Use these instructions at your own risk. There is no warranty or guarantee of fitness for your purpose. Offer not available in all states. Coupon has no cash value.