Problem

After changing engine or server hostname/IP, communication to Site Director or devices is lost; engines appear offline.

Root Cause

Incomplete IP/hostname change (only one attribute changed), missing DNS resolution, or archive database still referencing old values.

Solution

1. Change in Separate Steps

If both hostname and IP must change:

• Change hostname first
• Reboot
• Then change IP

2. Use IP Addresses Without DNS

• On networks without working DNS
• Use IP addresses instead of hostnames in all Local Site Director and pairing fields

3. Upload After Download

• After a download that changes IP
• Perform an immediate upload so the archive matches live engine configuration

4. Verify Name Resolution

• From the Site Director, ping engines by IP and hostname
• Confirm name resolution or adjust hosts/DNS as required