Last revision July 18, 2005
An "alias" is simply another network name that points to the same computer. For example, the pangea server has the official network name "pangea.stanford.edu". The alias "pangaea.stanford.edu" also points to pangea to accomodate an alternate spelling.
If you are registering a server computer, which may need to be contacted by an alternate name, you may specify that name as an "alias" on the registration form. Aliases will not be registered for ordinary workstations, which are not servers and thus are not contacted by others by name. Even for a server, you should register an alias only when it is likely that others will try to reference the computer by that alternate name. "Vanity" aliases are not appropriate.