Configuring Agent Settings

Agent Settings

Agent settings determine the behavior of of the agent on the managed machine. Although each agent can be configured individually, it's easier to manage machines if you adopt similar settings for each type of machine you manage. For example, laptops, desktops and servers could all have settings that are unique to that type of machine. Similarly, machines for one customer may have unique characteristics that differ from the machines used by other customers. Type of agent settings include:

• Agent Credential
• Agent Menu
• Check-in Control
• Working Directory
• Logs
• Edit Profile
• View Collections
• Portal Access
• Remote Control Policy
• Patch Settings
• Patch File Source
• Patch Policy Memberships
• Alerts
• Event Log Alerts
• Monitor Sets
• Distribute Files
• Scheduled Agent Procedures

Policies vs Templates

There are two general methods of maintaining agent settings on multiple machines.

• Configuring Agent Settings Using Policies - This is the preferred, dynamic method of managing agent settings on hundreds, even thousands, of machines. Once a policy is applied to a target machine, propagation is automatic.
• Configuring Agent Settings Using Templates - This is the legacy, static method of maintaining agent settings on multiple machines. Agent settings must be manually copied to each target machines each time you make a change.