KB44203: In MicroStrategy Intelligence Server 9.x and later, how to modify the Intelligence Server name seen in the URL that is generated when users choose to deliver a History List message as a link in an email

Introduction:
In Strategy Intelligence Server 9.x, users can choose to receive email subscriptions with a link to a history list message in the email. An example subscription definition is shown below.
 

 
 
In the email received, users see a link to the history list message. The URL associated to this link is of the format shown below.
 
htt://web_server_machine_name/MicroStrategy/asp/Main.aspx?server=Intelligence_Server_machine_name&project=<PROJECT_NAME>&reportViewMode=1&evt=4001&reportID=<GUID_OF_REPORT>&messageID=<GUID_OF_MESSAGE>&Port=<PORT_NO_INTELLIGENCE_SERVER
 
In the above link, the web server machine name or the full link to Strategy Web can be altered from the Strategy project configuration editor (Project definition > Document and Reports > 'Specify the web server that will be used in link to history list for email subscriptions...') as shown below.
 

 
 
In Strategy Intelligence Server 9.x, the Intelligence Server machine name entry is resolved by an internal macro '&SERVERNAME'. This always resolves to the host name of the machine on which the Strategy Intelligence Server is installed. 
 
In some cases, users may want to alter the Intelligence Server machine name generated in the link because of special configurations such as the use of virtual machine names. Starting with Strategy Intelligence Server 9.3.0 Hotfix 2, it is possible to customize the name seen for the Strategy Intelligence Server. The section below provides steps to perform this. 
 
 
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
 
The setting described below (ServerName) is NOT ONLY for the '&SERVERNAME' macro used in the history list URL. The value provided for the entry described below would work as the service name. In other words, this name needs to be recognizable as a network machine. The DNS needs to recognize the entry as a machine and be able to resolve its IP address for any client machine access. Also, the cluster share folders need to use the entry value (instead of the actual machine name) for file sharing.
 
 
Note: Before implementing the steps below, make sure that Strategy Intelligence Server is shutdown. 
 
Steps to implement on Windows
 
 

• On the Strategy Intelligence Server 9.x and later machine, access the Windows registry.
• Navigate to the location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\MicroStrategy\DSS Server\Castor
• Look for an entry called 'ServerName' in the above location.
• If the above entry is not found, create a new string value called 'ServerName' as shown below.
   
  

• Provide the required service name for the 'ServerName' entry by editing it.

 
 
Steps to implement on UNIX/Linux
 

1. On UNIX/Linux machines, edit the MSIReg.reg file found in the home folder of the Strategy installation.
2. Make a backup of this file before making any changes.
3. In the MSIReg.reg file, find the following entry:
    
   
   Sample Code/Error
    
   
    
   
4. Look for an entry called 'ServerName' with this key. If this entry is not found, create a new string value called 'ServerName' and assign it the required value as given below.
    
   
   Sample Code/Error
   
   "HomePath"="/home/MicroStrategy/930HF2/IntelligenceServer"
   "IgnoreAllExceptions"=dword:00000000
   "ProcessAffinity"=""
   "ServerName"="MY_ISERVER"
   
   
    
   
5. Save and close the MSIReg.reg file.

 
If the 'ServerName' entry is not found, the '&SERVERNAME' macro just defaults to using the machine name on which Strategy Intelligence Server resides.
 
 
 
Registry Modification:
 
 
 
WARNING:
 
 
Modifying registry values incorrectly may cause serious, system-wide problems that may require the re-installation of Microsoft Windows. Any edit of the registry is done at the user's own risk. Since these are user-initiated changes, they are not covered by any Strategy warranty. If using Microsoft Windows, the user should backup the registry and/ or update an Emergency Repair Disk prior to alterations.