CIS Home > Services > Backup > Troubleshooting > Use Macintosh rendezvous name

Macintosh error message: alias unknown

Problem:

The license manager for Matlab uses a domain name to resolve itself and allow Matlab to start up. When Matlab is installed on a Powerbook, the domain name will change in the various locations used. So, Powerbooks should be set up to use their "rendezvous" name as their server in the license.dat file for license manager.

This causes a problem in the backups in that, the initial backup run will fail on an “alias unknown” error.

Rendezvous is the code name for Apple's new networking technology that uses standard network protocols to automatically discover and connect devices over any IP network. Since it is built into the OS, the Rendezvous name is part of the NetInfo database that is used by the system to manage user accounts, groups, passwords, etc., and therefore it is always a recognized "server" name for Matlab license manager.

What does this have to do with Legato?

The (Mac OS X) license manager can be configured to start up automatically by putting a file in the StartupItems folder in /Library.

Turns out Networker (LEGATO) also puts files in there. Networker is looking for a domain name associated with our DNS but this rendezvous name is also associated with the Matlab license manager on Powerbooks. Hence, Networker finds both names.

Solution:

We need to make sure that Powerbooks that are backing up when plugged in to WHOInet, provide us with their Rendezvous name as well.

The Rendezvous name can be found in the System Preferences Sharing pane by clicking on the Edit button under the Computer name.

If you have questions or a different problem with using the Backup Service, please contact the CIS Helpdesk at x2439.