There are four ways to create host groups. Use the method that is appropriate to the characteristics of the host group.

Creating a host group from system configuration information

This method involves producing the system configuration information as a text file, creating the host group by editing this file, and then loading it into the Destination window. This method is especially convenient for creating groups according to the physical network configuration.

For details, see 8.2.3 Creating a host group from a file.

Creating a host group in the Destination window

This is as interactive method of creating host groups directly in the Destination window. This method is convenient for creating a host group that is unrelated to the network configuration or for modifying the information about an existing host group.

For details, see 8.2.4 Creating a host group in the Destination window.

Creating a host group automatically on the basis of conditions (policies)

This method automatically assigns a newly added host or a migrated host to a host group on the basis of predefined grouping conditions (policies). For details, see 9.3 Automatic maintenance of host groups.

Creating a host group from count results

This method uses the count-clients facility to create a host group of hosts with an identical inventory. For example, you can create a host group consisting of Windows 2000 hosts by counting the hosts for each operating system. This method is convenient for executing specific distribution only to this host group.

For details about creating host groups from count results, see 4.2.7 Creating a host group from count results in the manual Administrator's Guide Volume 1.