Custom hostnames (cnames) allow a student to give their computer an easily remembered name. This name is an alias for the standard format DHCP-assigned name. Each student who is connected to ResNet may have one cname pointing to one computer.

Rules of Use:

All NC State computer and network resources are governed by Administrative Regulations - Computer Use

Custom hostnames (cnames) are available for any computer connected to ResNet. Cnames can only point to one IP address, and each IP address may only have one cname pointing to it. Once a cname is assigned, your computer will be reachable through the hostname: cname.rh.ncsu.edu For example, the requested cname of "yellow" will result in the hostname yellow.rh.ncsu.edu

Not all requested cnames will be allowed; the assignment of cnames is at the discretion of ResNet staff. Cnames that may cause confusion, such as FTP or HTTP, are not allowed on ResNet, nor are cnames containing potentially offensive language. Repeated requests for disallowed cnames may result in the loss of the privilege of having one.

Additional service procedures/restrictions:

• Students must request a cname from the computer to which they want it assigned
• CNames must start with a letter and may contain only letters, numbers, and dash ( - ). No other characters are valid.
  
• If you want to move your cname to a new IP address, you must make a request through the online form; it will not happen automatically.
  
• If you want to unregister a cname, you must make a request through the online form.
  
• Cnames are intended to be valid for one academic year. However, it is possible that your cname may not carry over from one semester to the next. If this is the case, you will have to re-request it through the online form. Likewise, your cname may not expire when you expect it to. In this case you can issue a cancellation request via the online form.
• We recommend that you do not register a cname for a computer that will be used in multiple buildings on campus (e.g. your laptop). If you choose to register a cname for a mobile computer you may have to request a cname move every time you go to a new building. Your computer's IP address may change every time you go to a new building even if you have previously had an IP address in that building.
• Registering a cname does NOT automatically give you remote access to your computer. Cnames simply provide a convenient name for your computer. You are responsible for any services run on your computer.

Obtaining Service:

All requests for obtaining, moving or cancelling a cname will be done online. It may take up to one week to process a cname once it has been requested. Once a cname has been approved it will take up to 24 hours for it to become active. Cancellations and moves may also take up to 24 hours.

Click Here to sign-up for your CName