diff --git a/jupyterhub/orm.py b/jupyterhub/orm.py
index 94d5be11..0e10e71e 100644
--- a/jupyterhub/orm.py
+++ b/jupyterhub/orm.py
@@ -64,6 +64,8 @@ class Server(Base):
     """
     __tablename__ = 'servers'
     id = Column(Integer, primary_key=True)
+    
+    name = Column(Unicode(32), unique=True) # this is a unique reference to the server, probably a UUID4
     proto = Column(Unicode(15), default='http')
     ip = Column(Unicode(255), default='')  # could also be a DNS name
     port = Column(Integer, default=random_port)