Add more logic to Automatic Groups

1

(imported topic written by curth)

Can you add “Starts With” to the drop down when creating Automatic Groups?

Our servers have a naming convention which is SCWFUNCTION where SS = Site Code, W = Windows Server and FUNCTION = a description of the server. Example - NYWFILE01 - this server would be a Windows File Server in New York. Another server could be named VTWNYDR01 where this server would be a DR Windows Server for the in Vermont. Servers in the NY office are managed by the NY staff. Servers in the VT office are managed by the VT staff. The current Automatic Group method allow me to create a group by “Computer name contains NY”. This, however, will return both servers as both contain NY in their names. If “Starts With” were an option, it would be easier.

To work around this, I have created the group and then modified the relevance to replace “contains” with “Starts With”. It would be easier if the drop down had this option as well. Other options would be nice too.

2

(imported comment written by BenKus)

Hey Curt,

I filed that enhancement request… Couple quick notes in addition:

  • You have the ability to edit the relevance when you make the group by going to the top of the dropdown (I wasn’t sure if you knew this already or if you were modifying the group relevance manually after you created the group.

  • You can use the “Location by property” wizard to create custom relevance that would allow you to “map” computers whose name starts with “NY” to “New York”, “VT” to “Vermont”, and so on.

Ben

3

(imported comment written by curth)

Thanks, Ben. I was aware of being able to edit the relevance and have taken advantage of that on many occasions. Having these options in the GUI makes creating these things just that much faster.

4

(imported comment written by jl197391)

I would also add a feature where I break it down more granular. Something like this:

Matches ANY conditions of:

Active Directory : DC=Domain

Active Directory : DC=Domain1

Active Directory : DC=Domain2

and matches ALL conditions of:

OS Type : WinXP

RAM : 1024MB

In the example I am looking for any WinXP computer with 1GB RAM on either domain1, domain2, or domain3.

Currently I use a relevance expression to write this out.

5

(imported comment written by SystemAdmin)

I could really take advantage of extra logic in the automatic group configuration as well. In my case I’m trying to add computers (laptops in this case) to a an automatic group based based on the Windows computer manufacturer (Toshiba OR IBM) while excluding any laptops that are members of certain other groups. Basically.

Manufactuer is Toshiba OR IBM

AND

NOT a member of group Sales-US

Joseph

6

(imported comment written by SystemAdmin)

I could really take advantage of extra logic in the automatic group configuration as well. In my case I’m trying to add computers (laptops in this case) to a an automatic group based based on the Windows computer manufacturer (Toshiba OR IBM) while excluding any laptops that are members of certain other groups. Basically.

Manufactuer is Toshiba OR IBM

AND

NOT a member of group Sales-US

Joseph

7

(imported comment written by SystemAdmin)

curth

To work around this, I have created the group and then modified the relevance to replace “contains” with “Starts With”. It would be easier if the drop down had this option as well. Other options would be nice too.

Thanks curth, this helped me in creating some automatic groups.