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Create / Delete: Machine Groups

System > Machine Groups: Create / Delete

The Create / Delete page creates and deletes machine groups. Each agent installed on a managed machine is assigned a unique machine ID/group ID name. All machine IDs are associated with a group ID and optionally a subgroup ID. Typically a group ID represents a single customer account. Subgroup IDs typically represent a location or network within a group ID. For example, the full identifier for an agent installed on a managed machine could be defined as jsmith.acme.chicago. In this case chicago is a subgroup ID defined within the group ID called acme. Only a master administrator, or administrators authorized by a master administrator, can create group IDs. Any administrator can create subgroup IDs.

Creating a New Group ID

To create a new machine group:

  1. Enter a new group name in the text box.
  2. Click Create to create the new machine group ID. The new machine group is displayed in the list.

You can now assign administrators to administer the new group.

Deleting a Group ID

To delete an empty machine group:

  1. Select the checkbox next to the machine group ID you wish to delete. More than one checkbox can be selected if you wish to delete multiple machine groups at the same time.
  2. Click Delete. A dialog box confirms the deletion.
  3. Click OK to delete, or Cancel.

    The empty machine groups are removed from the list.

Enter name for new machine group

Enter the name of a new machine group ID that you wish to create.

Allow standard administrators to create root groups

By default, standard administrators may not create or delete root level machine groups. If checked, standard administrators can create or delete root level machine groups. This option only displays for master administrators.

When a standard administrator creates a new root machine group, permission to access that machine group is automatically granted to all administrator roles that administrator belongs to.

Create as subgroup of

Create subgroups within machine groups. To create a subgroup select the parent group from this drop-down control prior to clicking Create. To create a new top level root group leave the drop-down control set to < New Root Group >.

Create

Click Create to create a new machine group with the specified name.

Delete

Click Delete to delete an empty machine group. An empty machine group is one with no machines assigned to that group. If any machine is assigned to a machine group, then the checkbox beside the group name is disabled and shown in gray. Deleting a group also deletes any associated subgroups.

Total Machines

Displays the total number of machines managed.

Total Groups

Displays the total number of groups defined.

Machine Group

Each machine group defined is displayed under Machine Group. The checkbox beside the machine group is checked only if no machines are assigned to that group ID. The checkbox can be selected to mark an empty group for deletion.

Total Group

Displays the number of machines in each machine group, including any associated subgroups. This can be used to evenly distribute machines per group, or to plan migration of some groups to a new server.

Sub Group

Shows the administrator the number of machines in an individual machine group. If the group has subgroups, none of the machines in those subgroups are counted.