The flexible Empirum assignment construct allows for the multiple assignment of objects. For most assignable objects only one instance per system or user can be relevant. This affects for example software packages, OS templates, OS imports or agent templates. Empirum must determine the relevant assignment when these objects are activated, for the same systems may be assigned a software package with the "Install" option within one assignment group and with the "Uninstall" option within another assignment group. The same applies to OS templates and OS imports, because a computer cannot be set up with several operating systems in parallel.

Please note that Empirum allows for local and global activations, i.e., the point of activation determines which object will be used in case of local activation (see section Activation).

The result of such assignments can be viewed in the properties of a system or user anytime.

Activation is based on the following rules:

Generally, the assigned object that is closest to the computer or user within the tree structure is attached the highest priority, i.e., a template or package that has been assigned directly within the same group will override inherited packages.

Advanced Rules for Software Packages

Examples

Example 1

The software package 7-Zip has been assigned to the system directly within the Product Management group and through inheritance from the Departments group. If differences exist, the distribution options of the direct assignment will be activated.

The operating system template W7ENT has been assigned to the system directly within the Product Management group; the operating system template XP_PRO_ENU has been inherited from the Departments group. W7ENT will be activated.

The following additional rules apply if both assignments have the same distance:

"Higher" distribution options override other distribution options.

1. Install and/or Renew combined with Always enforce or Machine or user part
2. Install and/or Renew combined with Do not show
3. Install and/or Renew
4. Install and/or Renew combined with User can postpone
5. Uninstall

Example 2

A software package FileZilla has been assigned to a system within two groups on the same level, once with the "Install and Renew" option in the Product Management group and once with "Uninstall" in the Marketing group. In this case the software package will be installed on the system. You can check the assignment in the system properties under Assigned Objects.

Advanced Rules for Operating System Templates, Operating System Imports, Agent Templates and PXE Images

Generally, the rule of the closest assignment applies. If various templates, imports and images are available on the same assignment level within a configuration and an assignment group for the computer object, the template/import/image of the configuration group will be used. If various templates, imports and images are available on the same assignment level in two assignment groups, selection is based on the template or image that has been assigned most recently. The result of such activation will always be the same, independent of the point of activation, even if local activation has been selected.