Empirum's configuration and assignment groups provide various options to define the target state for system- and user-specific software management. Groups combine computer and user objects with Empirum's configuration objects. By combining computer objects with common Empirum templates (for instance, for operating system configurations, patch assignments or agent configurations) and software packages, Empirum automatically generates the correct installation and configuration information for each single system, based on the general template properties and independent of the number of assigned systems.

The advantages: Specifications need only be defined once and can then be applied very easily to many systems. The results can always be reproduced and mass changes can be performed very easily.

Basic procedures:

Modifications to the definition, such as added or removed software packages, templates etc., must be activated before they become effective. Newly added systems or users must also be activated accordingly. Groups inherit their properties to subgroups, for instance, assigned configuration objects, variable values, distribution options for software packages and group rights. It is possible to suspend such inheritance, if property settings for subgroups differ. If changes have already been made to these subgroups, subsequent changes to group properties will only be inherited to the subgroups upon request (forced inheritance). If no changes have occurred to the properties of the subgroups, these subgroups inherit the properties of the superordinated group. Actions – activations as well as deactivations – are applied to all subordinated objects.

Multiple assignments:

Multiple assignments of objects to groups are possible, either within the group hierarchy or based on multiple assignment groups. Such multiple assignments may contain conflicting options. As a rule, the assignment that is closest to the computer/user object will override the other options.

Example:

A system has been assigned software with the "Install" distribution option via a superordinated configuration group and with the "Uninstall" option directly within its configuration group. In such case the respective software would never be installed or would be uninstalled. The system's property dialog will show which assignment is relevant. The "Activation" chapter will explain how you can dissolve the assignment.

Differences Between Configuration and Assignment Groups:

The main difference between the two group types is that computer objects can be assigned to configuration groups only once, while multiple assignments in assignment groups are possible. There are some special groups that can only be created within the configuration groups, for instance, XenApp server farms, host infrastructure groups or virtual desktop pools.