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You only need to run the Rename-SPServer CmdLet when the physical host name of a server changes after it has already been added to a SharePoint Farm. In a multi-server farm, the alternative is to remove the server from the farm, change the host name, then re-add the server back into the farm like adding a new server.
Renaming a server is a 2 step process. First you physically change the host name of the server, then you run the Rename-SPServer Cmdlet to update SharePoint farm configuration to recognize the new server name. Yes, changing the physical host name is required.
How to change the name of a server?
The type must be a URL, in the form https://server_name, or a GUID, in the form 1234-4567-987gb. Specifies the new name of the server. Displays a message that describes the effect of the command instead of executing the command.
What happens when you rename a SQL Server instance?
Rename a Computer that Hosts a Stand-Alone Instance of SQL Server. When you change the name of the computer that is running SQL Server, the new name is recognized during SQL Server startup. You do not have to run Setup again to reset the computer name.
The Rename-SPServer cmdlet changes the name of the server for internal use within SharePoint Products. The server itself must be manually renamed.
How can I change the name of my server?
Run the following command “Rename-SPServer” (Do not change the server hostname until after you run this command, or the farm will be unavailable until to revert the server back to its original name and rerun this command first) Change the server hostname. Then restart.
Can a computer be renamed in a failover cluster?
When an instance of SQL Server is part of a SQL Server failover cluster, the computer renaming process differs from a computer that hosts a stand-alone instance. SQL Server does not support renaming computers that are involved in replication, except when you use log shipping with replication.
What happens when you change the hostname of a web application?
Changing the hostname isn’t that bad, but it isn’t enough as the web applications will revert back to the old name which is recorded in the configuration database and rests after a reboot.