Hi Martin,
There is an option to show both the name and alias of an element, if both were present and differed. They are shown as (alias) name, on two lines. You must have the Use Alias setting for the diagram checked. [This sometimes will not show up until you reload the diagram.]
You can show the run state of a node on a deployment diagram. Run states can be entered for elements, not just objects. They can also be entered for arbitrary variables, not just defined attributes. [You might want to use attributes though; they will appear in the drop-down, which will help insulate you from typos.]
You can also define tagged values, and use Set Feature Visibility to see the tagged value compartment. Check out Custom tagged values for how to set up an IP mask (for example) so the values will look correct. [You have to turn on the tagged values compartment, either manually or through automation, for each element or each diagram. At the diagram level use the Elements tab of the Diagram Properties Dialog. At the element level, to save time you can select several (or with control-A, all) elements on a diagram and set them as a group.]
HTH, David
