Move Host Group identifier to Host

[jkinning]

I was working with another admin and we did things differently. When I created a new host I would go into CCM and then under Hosts I would key in the Host Name, Description, Address. Then I would just click the Manage Templates and add the appropriate templates to the host and then Manage Hostgroups and add it to the correct hostgroup. Check Active then save and Apply Configuration. I just noticed that the other admin didn't use the Manage Hostgroups but rather under Monitoring on the left menu he would select Host Groups, select the appropriate host group and then Manage Hosts and add the new host there. To me that is one too many steps. Is there a way in which I can take the ones he keyed in under Host Group Management and add that hostgroup to the host under the Host then Manage Hostgroup? I prefer to have everything uniformed and done the same way which going forward we are but just trying to figure out the easiest method to change this.

[bwallace]

The 'Bulk Modifications' tool sounds like the most efficient tool for the job. In the XI UI go to Core Config Manager > Tools > Bulk Modifications and from there it should be rather intuitive, but let us know if there are any questions.

[jkinning]

I was thinking the Bulk Modification Tool would work but I don't know which selection to make? I don't see a Change Host(s) and not sure if I need to remove all the hosts from the Hostgroup first and then add them to the Hosts, currently just confused.

[bwallace]

I see - From Bulk Mod, I would 1st select "Remove Host Group" - here you can remove a host group from selected hosts. This way it should make the hosts stand-alone and then you can reconfigure these hosts using your preferred method.

Right after using Bulk Mod and save changes/apply config, I would 1st verify that the host is indeed stand-alone before you reconfigure by checking the host group to make sure the host is no longer a member of said group.

[jkinning]

Thanks I'll give that a try.

Is there a difference or any performance gains by having the hosts identified in the hostgroup or having the hostgroup identified within the host cfg file? Which is best practice or does it not matter?

[bwallace]

To the best of my knowledge, there is no performance benefit either way and as for where something is defined, it is preferential. To me, defining hosts in the Host group makes sense, instead of defining a host group in the host.cfg. If the latter, then you'll have to check each and every host.cfg to determine what hostgroup a host actaully belongs to. Seems much easier to just check the hostgroup config for a list of hosts, but that's just me. Perhaps others in this forum have found benefits when going the other direction...