How Do I change Device Name?

[bobj]

When I am tinkering with my router firmware, and I have 4 to 6 android devices all with cryptic device names like android-344564333953945,
it would be nice to see bobj_thrive instead. So I installed the app "HOSTS", which will change my Thrive's device name. Not a bad solution.
But the new device name only remains it until I re-boot the Thrive, because the device name is re-generated from device specific firmware data, returning it to the former, cryptic, name.

So I am thinking ... maybe I have two solutions to re-name the Thrive in a more permanent manner? (Win7 and Linux are easy, but I am an Android noob.)
1 - I could have HOSTS run as a startup app automatically when the Thrive boots.
2 - Put the code "su busybox hostname bobj_thrive" some where in an "init.rc" type of file, (after android-344564333953945 has been re-generated from the booting)

Does this sound right? Can anyone help me with the correct way to do either? Or am I missing option 3 entirely?

Thanks, bobj

[Ads]

[mcarver2000]

Some routers allow you to edit the displayed names, which are then stored in a table, linked to MAC.

[bobj]

Yes, I keep switching test (not even beta yet) versions of the router firmware, switching hardware versions and circuitboards in the routers, and the router backup/restores are not always compatible, so I prefer to make the changes at the device end (PC's and Thrive). Plus this is a fun opportunity for me to learn some Android architecture - I want to graduate out of Android noob - I spent a day digging thru the Android OS trying to find the solution before I gave up and made this post. So I am thinking, for one of our Android experts in the forum here, this is a simple answer. It must have been done many times before?

[mcarver2000]

Might give the following a try:

Root, install busybox and write a script that calls "busybox hostname [new_device_name]" after it boots up. This method requires root and an app called autostart (root). I'm not sure if there is a better way at this point to set it once and make it permanent without requiring a script to run after booting up.

[bobj]

You are right on point, mcarver2000. This is kind of my option 2. Rather than add a new app though, I just want to add "su busybox hostname bobj_thrive" at the "right place ???" in an existing boot script, like init.rc but I don't understand enough about Android's boot run levels and call sequences to know where the correct networking initialization scripting is.

In Debian, for example, end-users are encouraged to use 60-*.conf and above," so I would create a file /etc/sysctl.d/60-bobj.conf instead of editing sysctl.conf directly or calling "sysctl -w" from rc.local: This way updates would keep the 60-*.conf and above changes.

I was hoping someone could point me to the analogous point, in the appropriate network init script, in our Android boot sequence.

[rhp195]

Did you ever get a good answer to this?

[bobj]

no more than you see in this thread.

[Crazy49er]

It can be done but you'll need a paperclip, metalic bubblegum wrapper, and a Justin Bieber CD

[rtfw]

I assume the Bieber CD is to break its resolve to do what Toshiba coded it to do and bend it to your will.

[bobj]

i'm sure it is a simple boot script change, i just have not had time to figure it out it yet.

I'm using HOST app, it is good enough for now. I'll dig through the boot scripts someday.