Inconsistencies between internal logical names assigned to hardware devices and physical labeling of the hardware device connectors are overcome by reassigning internal logical names in a network appliance hosting the hardware devices. The initial logical names that refer to the hardware devices are read from an operating system, along with hardware addresses for the hardware devices. The relationship between the initial logical names and the hardware device addresses is compared against a desired relationship, as may be provided in a configuration file. Undesired relationships between logical names and hardware devices are reassigned so that the logical names are consistent with the physical labeling for the hardware devices. The reassigned logical names can be committed to system resources to make the reassignment persistent.