Rename SQL on a cloned server

Cloning the server to make an exact copy of Prod for development and QA is a great time saver and ensures configuration is done correctly.  Unfortunately SQL still thinks it is the original server.  Luckily this is an easy fix.

Check what server SQL thinks it is:

select * from sys.servers

--or
--select * from sysservers
--if you are still running SQL 2000

Now rename the server:

USE master
GO
sp_dropserver [old_name]
GO
sp_addserver [new_name], local
GO

And finally reconfigure any local monitoring, setup backups, etc.