Device Naming Conventions
Article Purpose
UAA has adopted the following naming conventions for university owned devices connected to UAA's network in order to a) uniquely identify devices, and b) reduce the possibility of device naming conflicts. This naming format is recommended in order to include the most information possible using the 15 character maximum imposed by Microsoft Active Directory.
Additional Information
General Recommendations
In general devices should begin with the location code of the campus it is affiliated with. UAA has the following campus codes:
- anc - Anchorage Campus, including metropolitan locations such as AvTech, ENRI, Eagle River, University Center, Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson.
- fbk - Military Extension sites in Fairbanks, including locations such as Ft. Wainwright, Eielson AFB
- kbc - Kachemak Bay Campus
- koc - Kodiak Campus
- krc - Kenai River Campus, including locations in Kenai, Soldotna, and Seward
- msc - Matanuska-Susitna College
- pws - Prince William Sound Community College, including locations such as Valdez, Cooper Basin Campus, Cordova Campus
Elements of the device name should be separated whenever possible by a dash ( - ). In cases where a worthwhile name would exceed 15 characters it is permissible to remove as few dashes as necessary to achieve a 15-character name. The dashes should be removed starting from the right side of the name working left. A few examples are:
- Incorrect: anc-isb100l1a-01 (16 characters)
- Correct: anc-isb100l1a01 (15 characters)
- Incorrect: anc-eh400lg01-01m (18 characters)
- Correct: anc-eh400-01m (14 characters)
Multi-boot workstations should use the same workstation name for all operating systems appended by one of the following:
- m - for Mac OS systems
- w - for Windows systems
- u - for Linux/Unix systems
A few general examples are:
- anc-adm102-scw
- anc-adm102-scm
- anc-adm144-01m
- anc-adm144-01w
Important Note: A multi-boot workstation cannot use the same workstation name for both operating systems. This will cause a conflict in Active Directory. They must use different names.
Employee Workstations
The naming conventions for Employee workstations is:
locationcode-last9digitserialnumber(-OSFlag)
Where locationcode is the campus abbreviation, followed by up to the last nine digits of the workstations serial number, and optionally the OSFlag for multi-boot workstations to provide a unique name for each operating system. A few examples are:
- anc-123456789-w
- anc-123456789-m
- anc-a93b912nb-w
- anc-a93b912nb-m
- msc-cxj289lv9
- msc-jf93kg9
- koc-cv84nz0
Note: Because device serial numbers can include the characters 'm' or 'w' as the last character in their serial number string we separate out the OSFlag in this instance by including a dash (-) character before hand.
Smart Classroom Workstations
The naming convention for Smart Classrooms is:
locationcode-bldgroom-sc(OSFlag)
Where locationcode is the campus abbreviation, bldgroom represents the short building identifier as listed below, and the room number of the classroom, followed by sc which stands for Smart Classroom, and optionally the OSFlag for multi-boot workstations to provide a unique name for each operating system. A few examples are:
- anc-ssb118-sc
- anc-adm142-sc
- anc-psb166-sc
- anc-adm102-scm
- anc-adm102-scw
Note: Locations that have more than just a single Instructor’s computer should follow the conventions for a Computer Lab/Classroom provided below.
Conference Room Workstations
The naming convention for Conference Rooms is:
locationcode-bldgroom(-OSFlag)
Where locationcode is the campus abbreviation, bldgroom represents the short building identifier as listed below, and the room number of the location, and optionally the OSFlag for multi-boot workstations to provide a unique name for each operating system. A few examples are:
- anc-admin201
- anc-adm204
- anc-ssb101-m
- anc-ssb101-w
Note: Conference rooms that have more than just a single workstation should follow the conventions for a Computer Lab/Classroom provided below.
Computer Labs/Classrooms
The naming convention for computer classrooms/labs is:
locationcode-bldgroom-WorkstationID(OSFlag)
Where locationcode is the campus abbreviation, and bldgroom represents the short building identifier as listed below, the room number of the classroom, the WorkstationID is a unique identifier for each specific workstation, and optionally the OSFlag for multi-boot workstations to provide a unique name for each operating system. A few examples are:
- anc-smh105-01
- anc-smh105-02
- anc-smh110-01
- anc-ssb172-01
- anc-lib210-01
- anc-lib210-20m
- anc-lib210-20w
Note 1: It is encouraged that the workstationID be entered as a two digit number with a leading zero (0) for numbers less than ten (10).
Note 2: Instructor/Presentation/Consultant stations are typically encouraged to adapt a workstation ID of 00 (e.g. anc-smh105-00, anc-lib210-00, etc.) in order to distinctly identify that device from the rest of the lab. In the cases where two, or more podium workstations have been deployed the workstations should all have the standard workstation ID of 00 with a letter appended starting with 'a' and incrementing as needed (e.g. anc-smh105-00a, anc-smh105-00b, anc-smh105-00c, etc).
Video Conferencing Cameras
The naming convention for fixed mount video conference cameras is:
locationcode-bldgroom-vc(UnitID)
Where locationcode is the campus abbreviation, bldgroom represents the short building identifier as listed below, and the room number of the location, followed by vc which stands for Video Conferencing, and optionally the UnitId for locations that have more than one video conferencing unit deployed. A few examples are:
- anc-admin201-vc
- anc-adm204-vc
- anc-ssb122-vc
Printers - Networked
The naming convention for general network (personal or group) printers is:
locationcode-bldgroom-model
Where locationcode is the campus abbreviation, and bldgroom represents the short building identifier as listed below, the room number, and model represents the model of the device. A few examples are:
- anc-ssb170-4350
- anc-lib101-4650
Printers – Managed Print
The naming convention for printers utilizing UAA's Managed Print Service is:
locationcode-bldgroom-typedeviceID
Where locationcode is the campus abbreviation, and bldgroom represents the short building identifier as listed below, the room number, type represents the printer type (e.g. BW for black & white, clr for color, etc.), and deviceID represents a numerical number to uniquely identify multiple printers of the same type. A few examples are:
- anc-ssb170-bw1
- anc-ssb170-bw2
- anc-lib103-bw1
- anc-lib103-clr1
Workstations will be configured to print to the Spool Queue for the location, and not directly to the physical printer. The naming convention for Spool Queues is:
locationcode-bldgroom_type
Where locationcode is the campus abbreviation, bldgroom represents the short building identifier as listed below, the room number, and type represents the printer type (e.g. BW for black & white, clr for color, etc.) A few examples are:
- anc-ssb170_bw
- anc-lib103_bw
- anc-lib103_clr
- anc-smh111_bw
- anc-smh111_clr
Note: Since spool names are not device names it is permissible to exceed the 15-character limitation imposed by MS Active Directory.
Servers
The naming convention for servers is:
locationcode-infrastructureroledeviceID
Where locationcode is the campus abbreviation, and infrastructurerole represents what the device is used for, and deviceID represents a numerical number to uniquely identify multiple devices of the same type. A few examples are:
- anc-fs03
- anc-sql01
- anc-sql02
- anc-web01
- koc-fs01
- koc-web01
Network Devices
The naming convention for networking devices is:
locationcode-bldg-room-type&increment#
Where locationcode is the campus abbreviation, and bldg represents the short building identifier as listed in Appendix A, the room number, type represents purpose, and increment # indicates number of the device.
The type abbreviations are:
- Environment Monitor = EVM
- Firewall = FW
- Long Range Ethernet = LRE
- PSTN Gateway = PSTN
- Router = R
- Switch = just include increment number
- Voice Gateway = VG
- Wan Router = WR
A few examples are:
- anc-ssb-170-1
- anc-ssb-123-r1
- anc-ssb-123-1
- anc-ssb-123-2
- anc-ssb-123-wr1
- anc-ssb-123-fw1
- anc-ssb-123-fw2
- anc-uc-126-1
- anc-adm-146-1
Note: Since network devices are not joined to Active Directory it is permissible to exceed the 15-character limitation imposed by MS Active Directory.
Limitations
Microsoft’s Active Directory currently has the following restrictions regarding device naming:
- Names are limited to a max of 15 characters.
- Periods should not be used
- Device names cannot be composed completely of numbers
- The last character must not be a minus sign
Allowed characters
Computer names can contain only alphabetical characters (A-Z), numeric characters (0-9), and the minus sign (-). No distinction is made between upper and lowercase characters.
Disallowed characters
Device names cannot contain the following characters:
- Ampersand ( & )
- Apostrophe ( ‘ )
- Asterisk ( * )
- At sign ( @ )
- Backslash ( \ )
- Braces ( {} )
- Caret ( ^ )
- Colon ( : )
- Comma ( , )
- Dollar sign ( $ )
- Exclamation point ( ! )
- Greater than sign ( > )
- Less than sign ( < )
- Number sign ( # )
- Parentheses ( () )
- Percent ( % )
- Question Mark ( ? )
- Quote mark ( “ )
- Slash mark ( / )
- Tilde (~)
- Underscore ( _ )
- Vertical bar ( | )
Anchorage Campus Building Abbreviations
Building Name |
UAA Identifier |
Workstation Naming Abbreviation |
Administration Utility Building |
ADU |
ADU |
Administration/Humanities Building |
ADM |
ADM |
Alaska Airlines Center |
AAC |
AAC |
Alaska Native Sciences & Engineering Programs Building |
ANSEP |
ANS |
Allied Health Science Building |
AHS |
AHS |
Arcade and Bridge Lounge |
ABL |
ABL |
Auto/Diesel Technology Building |
ADT |
ADT |
Aviation Storage Building |
AVS |
AVS |
Aviation Technology Complex |
AVC |
AVC |
Beatrice McDonald Hall |
BMH |
BMH |
Behavioral Health Research & Services |
|
BRS |
Bookstore |
BKS |
BKS |
1815 Bragaw Office Complex #1 |
BOC1 |
BC1 |
1901 Bragaw Office Complex #3 |
BOC3 |
BC3 |
Central Parking Garage |
CPG |
CPG |
Commons |
CMMNS |
COM |
ConocoPhilips Integrated Science Building |
CPISB |
ISB |
Consortium Library |
LIB |
LIB |
Custodial Storage Shed |
CSS |
CSS |
Eagle River Campus (located in the Eagle Center) |
ER |
EC |
East Campus Parking Garage |
ECP |
ECP |
ANSEP Academy Building |
AAB |
AAB |
East Hall Student Housing |
EASTH |
EH |
Ecosystem-Biomedical Health Laboratory |
EBL |
EBL |
EBL Hazardous Material Storage |
HMB |
HMB |
Edward & Cathryn Rasmuson Hall |
RH |
RH |
Engineering & Computation Building |
ECB |
ECB |
Engineering Greenhouse |
EGH |
EGH |
Engineering & Industry Building |
EIB |
EIB |
Engineering Temporary Building #1 |
ETB1 |
ET1 |
Engineering Temporary Building #2 |
ETB2 |
ET2 |
707 "A" Street Building |
707A |
ENR |
Eugene F. Short Hall |
ESH |
ESH |
Fine Arts Building |
ART |
ART |
Gambell Professional Building |
|
GPB |
Gordon Hartlieb Hall |
GHH |
GHH |
Greenhouse |
GRN |
GRN |
Greenhouse Storage |
GRS |
GRS |
Grounds Administration Office |
GAO |
GAO |
Grounds Equipment Shed |
GES |
GES |
Grounds Irrigation Equipment Shed |
GIE |
GIE |
Grounds Staff Office |
GSO |
GSO |
Parrish Bridge |
PB |
PB |
Health Sciences Building |
HSB |
HSB |
Lucy Cuddy Hall |
CUDY |
CY |
Natural Sciences Building |
NSB |
NSB |
North Hall Student Housing |
NORTHH |
NH |
Engineering Parking Garage |
ENPG |
NPG |
Professional Studies Building |
PSB |
PSB |
Sally Monserued Hall |
SMH |
SMH |
Social Sciences Building |
SSB |
SSB |
Student Housing Building #1 |
SH1 |
SH1 |
Student Housing Building #2 |
SH2 |
SH2 |
Student Housing Building #3 |
SH3 |
SH3 |
Student Housing Building #4 |
SH4 |
SH4 |
Student Housing Building #5 |
SH5 |
SH5 |
Student Housing Building #6 |
SH6 |
SH6 |
Student Union |
SU |
SU |
Temple Wood Building A |
TWA |
TWA |
Temple Wood Building B |
TWB |
TWB |
Temple Wood Building C |
TWC |
TWC |
Temple Wood Building D |
TWD |
TWD |
Temple Wood Building E |
TWE |
TWE |
Temple Wood Building F |
TWF |
TWF |
Total Energy Module #2 |
EM2 |
EM2 |
Total Energy Module #1 |
EM1 |
EM1 |
Transportation Research Building |
TRB |
TRB |
University Center |
UC |
UC |
University Lake Building |
ULB |
ULB |
University Lake Annex |
ULA |
ULA |
Vocational Rehabilitation Building |
VRB |
VRB |
Wells Fargo Sports Center |
WFSC |
WFC |
Wells Fargo Sports Center Ice Plant |
WFIP |
WIP |
Wendy Williamson Auditorium |
WWA |
WWA |
West Bridge |
WB |
WB |
West Hall Student Housing |
WESTH |
WH |
Kachemak Bay Campus Building Abbreviations
Building Name |
UAA Identifier |
Workstation Naming Abbreviation |
Kachemak Bay Campus |
KBC |
KBC |
Kachemak Bay Storage Building |
KBS |
KBS |
Homer School Lease |
KBW |
KBW |
Kenai River Campus Building Abbreviations
Building Name |
UAA Identifier |
Workstation Naming Abbreviation |
Enid S. McLane Building |
EMB |
EMB |
Clarence Goodrich Building |
CGB |
CGB |
Clayton R. Brockel Building |
CCB |
CCB |
Walter E. Ward Building |
WWB |
WWB |
Warehouse |
KPW |
KPW |
MAPTS Office Building |
MAPTS |
MAP |
Kodiak Campus Building Abbreviations
Building Name |
UAA Identifier |
Workstation Naming Abbreviation |
Benny Benson Building |
BBB |
BBB |
Vocational-Technology Building |
VTB |
VTB |
College Cabin #2 |
LC2 |
LC2 |
Adult Learning Center |
ALC |
ALC |
Storage Shed |
|
|
Mat-Su Campus Building Abbreviations
Building Name |
UAA Identifier |
Workstation Naming Abbreviation |
Jalmar M. Kerttula Building |
JKB |
JKB |
Alvin S. Okeson Building |
OLB |
OLB |
Snodgrass Hall |
SGH |
SGH |
Ortner Warehouse |
OW |
OW |
Log Cabin Storage |
|
|
Fred & Sara Machetanz Building |
FSM |
FSM |
Bridge |
MSB |
MSB |
Pump House |
PH |
PH |
Glenn Massay Theater |
GMT |
GMT |
Prince William Sound Community Campus Building Abbreviations
Building Name |
UAA Identifier |
Workstation Naming Abbreviation |
Cordova Hall |
CH |
CH |
Copper Basin Hall |
CBH |
CBH |
Valdez Hall |
VH |
VH |
Growden-Harrison Building |
GHB |
GHB |
Whitney Museum |
WM |
WM |
Cordova Extension |
CE |
CE |
Copper River Basin Extension |
CRB |
CRB |