Which two host names follow the guidelines for naming conventions on Cisco IOS devices? (Choose two.)

Which two host names follow the guidelines for naming conventions on Cisco IOS devices? (Choose two.)

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  • Post last modified:August 13, 2024
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Which two host names follow the guidelines for naming conventions on Cisco IOS devices? (Choose two.)

  • Branch2!
  • RM-3-Switch-2A4
  • Floor(15)
  • HO Floor 17
  • SwBranch799

The two host names that follow the guidelines for naming conventions on Cisco IOS devices are:

  1. RM-3-Switch-2A4
  2. SwBranch799

Explanation

When configuring Cisco IOS devices, it’s essential to adhere to specific naming conventions to ensure compatibility, ease of management, and avoid potential configuration issues. Cisco’s guidelines for host names include:

  • Length: Host names should be between 1 to 63 characters in length.
  • Characters: The name should only consist of alphanumeric characters (A-Z, a-z, 0-9) and dashes (“-“). It cannot start with a number or a dash.
  • No Special Characters: Host names should not include spaces, special characters like “!”, “(“, “)”, or other punctuation marks.
  • Case Sensitivity: Host names are not case-sensitive.

1. RM-3-Switch-2A4

Adherence to Guidelines:

  • Length: The host name “RM-3-Switch-2A4” is 15 characters long, which is well within the acceptable range of 1 to 63 characters.
  • Characters: The name consists entirely of alphanumeric characters and dashes. It includes letters (both uppercase and lowercase) and numbers, which are all allowed.
  • No Special Characters: There are no special characters such as exclamation marks or parentheses, making it compliant with the naming convention rules.
  • Case Sensitivity: Although host names are not case-sensitive, using both uppercase and lowercase can help improve readability without violating any rules.

Structure and Readability:

  • Hyphen Usage: The hyphens used in “RM-3-Switch-2A4” serve to break down the host name into meaningful segments. “RM” could denote a room or rack number, “3” might indicate a specific identifier or module, “Switch” clearly states the device type, and “2A4” could be an asset tag or identifier.
  • Clarity: This host name is clear and provides useful information about the device’s location, type, and potentially its role in the network. It adheres to Cisco’s best practices by providing a meaningful, well-structured name that helps network administrators quickly identify the device’s function and placement.

2. SwBranch799

Adherence to Guidelines:

  • Length: The host name “SwBranch799” is 11 characters long, again falling well within the 1 to 63 character limit.
  • Characters: This name includes only letters and numbers, all of which are permissible under Cisco’s naming conventions.
  • No Special Characters: There are no spaces, punctuation, or other special characters in this host name, making it fully compliant.
  • Case Sensitivity: Like the previous example, the use of both uppercase and lowercase characters is within the rules, though host names are not case-sensitive.

Structure and Readability:

  • Descriptive Name: The prefix “Sw” likely stands for “Switch,” indicating the type of device, while “Branch” suggests the physical or organizational location, and “799” could be a unique identifier or branch number.
  • Conventional Usage: This host name is structured in a common way that aligns with network naming conventions where device type, location, and an identifier are combined. It’s simple, clear, and provides just enough detail to help in identifying the device without being overly complex.

Non-compliant Host Names

3. Branch2!

Reasons for Non-Compliance:

  • Special Character: The exclamation mark “!” is a special character that is not allowed in Cisco IOS host names. This makes “Branch2!” non-compliant with Cisco’s guidelines.
  • Impact of Special Characters: Special characters can lead to unexpected behavior in scripts, automated processes, or when using certain commands. They might also cause issues when interacting with other systems that do not recognize or properly parse such characters.
  • Recommendation: To make this host name compliant, the exclamation mark should be removed, resulting in “Branch2,” which would then adhere to the guidelines.

4. Floor(15)

Reasons for Non-Compliance:

  • Parentheses: The use of parentheses “(” and “)” in “Floor(15)” violates the Cisco naming convention. Parentheses are not allowed, as they are considered special characters.
  • Potential Issues: Like other special characters, parentheses can interfere with command-line parsing and automation scripts. They can also cause problems when exporting configurations or interacting with other software that doesn’t recognize such characters in names.
  • Recommendation: A compliant version of this host name could be “Floor15” or “Floor-15,” removing the parentheses and using either no separator or a dash to maintain clarity while adhering to the guidelines.

5. HO Floor 17

Reasons for Non-Compliance:

  • Spaces: The name “HO Floor 17” contains spaces, which are not allowed in Cisco IOS host names. Spaces can cause significant issues in command-line environments and are strictly prohibited.
  • Naming Issues: Spaces can break commands, cause misinterpretation of scripts, and lead to errors when devices communicate with each other. For instance, spaces might lead to only part of the name being recognized, causing conflicts or confusion in device identification.
  • Recommendation: A compliant version of this name could be “HOFloor17” or “HO-Floor-17,” where spaces are removed or replaced with dashes.

Summary

Host names on Cisco IOS devices should be crafted with care to ensure they adhere to the established guidelines. “RM-3-Switch-2A4” and “SwBranch799” are exemplary host names that meet all the criteria, including length, permissible characters, and meaningful structure. They avoid the pitfalls of special characters and spaces, making them both functional and effective in a networking environment.

On the other hand, “Branch2!,” “Floor(15),” and “HO Floor 17” do not comply with Cisco’s naming conventions due to the inclusion of special characters and spaces. These issues can lead to configuration errors and other operational problems, making it crucial to revise them according to the guidelines. Proper naming conventions not only help in preventing errors but also enhance the manageability and clarity of network configurations, ultimately contributing to a more organized and efficient network environment.