---
title: "Hostname Detection sub-tab"
slug: "hostname-detection-sub-tab"
updated: 2025-06-27T20:46:33Z
published: 2025-06-27T20:46:33Z
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.zpesystems.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Hostname Detection sub-tab

Hostname (network or serial) is automatically discovered when logged into the Nodegrid Platform, based on user access permissions. By default, Nodegrid devices include probes and matches for these device types: PDUs, NetApp, Console Servers, Device Consoles, and Service Processors.

Nodegrid sends a probe and waits for a match. If no match, a second probe is sent. This is repeated until a match occurs, then the probe process stops. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/763c5fb1-b9af-4ccd-9ad6-cf28ae4cd5a3/Images/Documentation/image-1678815011859.png)

### Enable Hostname Detection

After enabling hostname detection, it runs only once and then reverts to disabled.

1. Go to *Managed Devices :: Devices*.
2. Click on the device **Name** (displays dialog).
3. On the **Access** sub-tab, scroll down to locate and select the **Enable Hostname Detection** checkbox.
4. Select **Login to Detect Hostname.** Some serial consoles do not display the hostname until a user logs in manually. Therefore, before the hostname detection, you should configure automatic login for the Nodegrid device. For more information, see the [Access sub-tab](https://docs.zpesystems.com/docs/access-sub-tab).

![](https://cdn.document360.io/763c5fb1-b9af-4ccd-9ad6-cf28ae4cd5a3/Images/Documentation/enable-host-name.png)
5. Click **Save**.

#### CLI Procedure

```plaintext
[admin@nodegrid access]# cd /settings/devices/ttyS2/access
[admin@nodegrid access]# set enable_hostname_detection=yes
[+admin@nodegrid access]# set hostname_detection_login=yes
[+admin@nodegrid access]# set hostname_detection_credential=use_specific
[+admin@nodegrid access]# set hostname_detection_username=user
[+admin@nodegrid access]# set hostname_detection_password=$pAssw0r.d
[+admin@nodegrid access]# commit
[admin@nodegrid access]#
```

### Create a Probe or Match

1. Go to *Managed Devices :: Auto Discovery :: Hostname Detection*.
2. Click **Add** (displays dialog).
3. On **String Type** drop-down, select one (Match, Probe).
4. On **String**, enter characters for Match or Probe.

**NOTE**

For String Type: Matches, RegEx expressions are allowed. Use the variable %H to indicate the location of the hostname.
5. Click **Save**.

#### CLI Procedure

1. Go to /settings/auto_discovery/hostname_detection/string_settings
2. Type add
3. Use the set command to define string_type (match, probe)
4. Use the set command to define a probe or match string
5. Make active
6. Save the changes with commit

**NOTE**

For Matches RegEx expressions are allowed. Use the variable %H to indicate the location of the hostname

```plaintext
[admin@nodegrid /]# /settings/auto_discovery/hostname_detection/string_settings 
[admin@nodegrid /]# add
[admin@nodegrid /]# set string_type=match
[+admin@nodegrid /]# set match_string=[\a\r]%H{I|L)ogin:
[+admin@nodegrid /]# active
[+admin@nodegrid /]# commit
```

### Delete a Probe or Match

1. Go to *Managed Devices :: Auto Discovery :: Hostname Detection*.
2. Select checkbox(es).
3. Click **Delete**.
4. On confirmation dialog, click **OK**.

### Move Hostname Detection Priorities Up

1. Go to *Managed Devices :: Auto Discovery :: Hostname Detection*.
2. Select the checkbox(es) of items.
3. Click **Up** to move the sequence.

### Move Hostname Detection Priorities Down

1. Go to *Managed Devices :: Auto Discovery :: Hostname Detection*.
2. Select the checkbox(es) of items.
3. Click **Down** to move the sequence.

### Modify Hostname Detection Global Setting

1. Go to *Managed Devices :: Auto Discovery :: Hostname Detection*.
2. Click **Global Settings** (displays dialog).
3. Enter **Probe timeout (sec)** (max time to wait for output) (default: 5)
4. Enter **Number of retries** (number of times probe is resent if no output) (default: 3).
5. Enter **Discovered name updates device name**checkbox (enabled by default).

**NOTE**

If disabled, no devices names are updated, even if a match is found.)
6. Select **New discovered device receives the name during conflict**checkbox.

**NOTE**

If enabled, and multiple devices have the same name, the latest discovered device receives the name.
7. Click **Save**.