Creating Dynamic Machine Groups in Ghost Solution Suite

Products

• Ghost Solution Suite

Issue/Introduction

When managing a large number of endpoints in the Ghost Solution Suite console, there is a need to separate machines into dynamic groups for greater manageability and organization. This article provides a brief overview of some of the functionality and capabilities of Dynamic Machine groups.

Environment

Ghost Solution Suite 3.x

Resolution

When used with no modifications, Ghost Solution Suite organizes computers into two folders or groups: 'All Computers' and 'New Computers'

Additional computer folders/groups can be created, and computers can be manually moved into the new folder/group

In large environments where many machines are managed in the console, it is beneficial to create machine folders or groups that dynamically and automatically sort computers based on inventory data. This can be accomplished using 'Dynamic Machine Groups'

Ghost Solution Suite includes a built in Dynamic Machine Group called 'No Automation Folder Installed' which helps to quickly and easily identify machines that have no Automation Folder

GSS has the functionality to create additional Dynamic Machine Groups based on various other inventory data. Dynamic Machine Groups don't move computers out of, or reorganize non-dynamic computer folders. They provide additional filtering functionality to sort computers based on an organization's needs.

A new Dynamic Machine Group can be created by users with appropriate rights by right-clicking on 'Dynamic Machine Groups' and selecting 'New Dynamic Machine Group'

Once selected, a dialog box will appear with the header: 'Properties for New Dynamic Machine Group'

• The first step in creating the new Dynamic Group is providing a Dynamic Machine Group Name to help uniquely identify how the group is organized. Any name can be given to the new Dynamic Machine group as long as it is unique from other machine groups in the console
• Next, we will want to create one or more filters that identify machines matching the needed criteria. Any regular computer folder or group (non-dynamic) can be used as a starting point for machines that need to be sorted. By default, the 'All Computers' group is selected as a starting point. In this example, we will create a Dynamic Machine Group using All Computers as a starting point, and filter down from there
• By default, the filter selected is for 'Active Computers'. To create a new Filter Definition, click the 'Setup >>' button, then select 'New...'
• Provide a name for the filter to identify what the filter does. Any name can be provided here but the name should identify what is filtered
• Next, select 'Add...' to add the first filter definition
• A new dialog box will appear with the header: 'Filter Definition'
• Select the 'Field' that you would like the filter based on. There are many options for most inventory-captured data to choose from
• Next, select 'Operation' and 'Value' fields to filter against the chosen 'Field'. Click 'OK'. If you wish to add additional filter definitions, select 'Add...' again and repeat the steps as needed
• Once you are finished compiling your filter definitions, click 'OK' again to return to the 'Properties' window, then click 'OK' again to create the Dynamic Machine Group
• Machines matching the filter definition will populate in the new filter after a few seconds. Refresh the console if needed