The general consensus on this was that there is no good reason to do it.
Just some help desk vodoo.
I found out from another school that they had the same problem and solved
it by getting authorization codes for a multiprocessor system (even though
they have a single processor).  I'm going the same route.
Much thanks to those who responded.
My original question and a response are pasted below.
Rob
On Tue, 6 Oct 1998, Robert Kubarych wrote:
> 
> Date: Tue, 6 Oct 1998 08:51:35 -0400 (EDT)
> From: Robert Kubarych <rkubaryc_at_sunyrockland.edu>
> To: alpha-osf-managers_at_ornl.gov
> Cc: Steven Ferres <sferres_at_sunyrockland.edu>,
>     Mike Donovan <mdonovan_at_sunyrockland.edu>
> Subject: Changing name and ownership of /usr/sys/"MYHOST"
> 
> We are adding a database report writing tool for our database application. 
> (Safari Info Tools with Datatel and UniData).  In order to get the
> server component of this software working the vendor has instructed me to
> rename /usr/sys/"MYHOST"  to it's full node name (MYHOST.WHATEVER.EDU) and
> to change the ownership of this directory from root to bin. 
> 
> The problem prompting this change was that after entering the new software
> auth codes to extend our license.  I received the following error when
> attempting to run the report writing software: 
> 
> Could not determine the Serial Number for ID check.
> 
> Is it ok to follow the vendor's instructions or might this have some
> unexpected and unwanted side effects? 
> 
> TIA for any help.
> 
> Rob
> 
On Tue, 6 Oct 1998, Mullin, Stephen (CAP, ITS, US) wrote:
> 
> Date: Tue, 06 Oct 1998 08:29:57 -0500
> From: "Mullin, Stephen (CAP, ITS, US)" <stephen.mullin_at_gecits.ge.com>
> To: 'Robert Kubarych' <rkubaryc_at_sunyrockland.edu>
> Subject: RE: Changing name and ownership of /usr/sys/"MYHOST"
> Robert,
> 
> Sounds like help Desk Voodoo to me ....
> That error comes up when the vendor hasn't ported
> correctly and uses the wrong calls/method to 
> determine/get a unique # for the system.
> 
>  The help desk guy is ditchin' ya  ...
> that directory is the system's kernel working
> (compiling) area. and is useless after you have
> built and moved your new kernel out to root.
> 
> This may have something to due with a kernel
> rebuild for that product but I wouldn't deal/settle
> for the BS attempt at the solution given.
> 
> Sincerely,
> 
> -Stephen
> GE Capital
> Information Technology Solutions		WISE  Project
> ________________________________________________________
> Stephen Mullin         		phone:_____   (770)300-3373
> WISE Project (SAP) 		dialcomm:____    8* 270-3373
> GE Capital IT Solutions		fax:________ (770)416-9592
> 2885 Pacific Drive                                
> Norcross, GA 30071     
>                                    Lifetime Address: Stephen.Mullin_at_usa.net
> ________________________________________________________
               \\|//
               (o -)              
~~~~~~~~~~~oOOo~(_)~oOOo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 Robert K. Kubarych, Programmer/Analyst     Phone: 914-574-4799
 Rockland Community College                 email: rkubarych_at_sunyrockland.edu
 Suffern, NY  10901                           fax: 914-574-4354
 Phone: (914) 574-4799
 Machine:              DEC Alpha 4100
 OS:                   DU 4.0d
 Unidata Version:      UDT 3.3.2-64
 Colleague Versions:   13.13 Live, 16 Test,Dev,Educ       
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Received on Tue Oct 06 1998 - 19:42:38 NZDT