Performing advanced device tasks

To merge a device with another

The topology type of the devices to be merged has to be Scanned Device.

In some cases a managed device, that is already in the database might be created a second time as a Scanned Device. For example, this might happen because the DNS server is not responding during a scan of an IP address range and therefore the CM agent cannot find all the required information to uniquely identify a device. In this case a new device will be created.

To merge one device with another, proceed as follows:

Select Device Groups in the left window pane.
Select the device group containing the device to be merged in the left window pane.
Select the device to be merged from the list in the right window pane.
Select Edit > Merge with Device .
The Select a Device dialog box appears on the screen.
Select the device you want to merge with the one you selected in step 3.
Click OK to confirm.

The data of the scanned device has now been merged with the data of the already existing device. Its topology type will be updated in the table.

To deprecate a device

After a device has reached the end of its lifecycle and will be physically removed from the IT environment it must also be removed from the CM representation of the network. In this case its topology type will become Deprecated Device and its GUID will be erased. The basic data of the device, such as its OS, MAC and IP address, etc, and hardware, software, custom and security inventory will be archived in the CM database, but the device will no longer be manageable. It can also still be viewed in specific groups. If the device is a relay and still has children, all these will be deprecated, too.

To deprecate a device, proceed as follows:

Select Device Groups in the left window pane.
Select a device from the list in the right window pane.
If the desired device is allocated to a device group, double-click the name of the respective group to reveal its member devices.
Select Edit > Deprecate Device .
A confirmation window appears.
If the selected device has a Windows 32-bit or 64-bit operating system and you want to uninstall the CM agent, check the Agent Uninstall box.
Click OK to deprecate and archive the device.
If Agent Uninstall was selected, the Agent Rollout Wizard will be displayed on the screen in which you can either select an existing uninstall rollout or create a new one. If the CM agent is not uninstalled, that is, identity information will still be uploaded from that device, a new device will be created with the same GUID and its name will be suffixed with its deprecate index number, for example, (0), (1), and so on. The icon of the device will be changed to its deprecated version. An CM agent and possibly also a Patch Management license, if applicable, will be freed up and its basic data and inventories will be archived.

To audit a device

Audit Now allows you to directly launch an asset discovery scan of the selected device, to generate and upload the latest device information, and a summary of its hardware, software and security inventory.

To perform Audit Now, proceed as follows:

Navigate to the desired device.
Select Edit > Audit Now .

The device scan is launched directly and the data in the Asset Summary tab of the device's Inventory node will be updated once the scan is finished.

To view inventory summary

To view the inventory summary of a device, proceed as follows:

Select Device Groups in the left window pane.
Select the device group containing the desired device in the left window pane.
Select the desired device from the list in the right window pane.
Right-click the desired device.
A pop-up menu appears.
Select Inventory Summary .

The focus of the console will jump to the Asset Summary tab of the device's Inventory subnode, displaying its inventory summary.

To use direct access tools

A number of Direct Access Tools are available for the devices in your network, such as accessing its registry, services, or rebooting the device. The direct access tools are available from the Device Topology and the Device Groups nodes.

To use the direct access tools, proceed as follows:

Navigate to the desired device.
Right-click the device.
A pop-up menu appears.
Select Direct Access Tools .
A pop-up menu appears.
Select the desired tool from the list.

The device will open on either the subnode representing the selected tool or the main device node, where you can now execute the necessary operations. If you selected an immediate action such as checking the connection or rebooting the device the focus of the console stays at its current location.

To reassign operational rules

If you made modifications to an operational rule which is already assigned to a device or device group the rule must be reassigned. This means that the operational rule is updated with its modifications on the assigned devices. If the reassignment is effected through a group assignment it is effective for the whole group.

To reassign operational rules, proceed as follows:

Select Device Topology in the left window pane.
Double-click the master server in the right window pane.
Select the tab Parent Device Groups in the right window pane.
Select the desired device group from the list in the right window pane.
Select Edit > Reassign Operational Rule .

The group's operational rules were activated for the selected device group and will be executed as soon as they arrive at their destination.