Managing host groups
Host groups allow the replication of SCOadmin
operations across the network. Changes made to a
designated ``master host'' are passed on
to a group of machines known as ``managed hosts''.
When
Host Open Host Group
is selected in
a SCOadmin manager, a new instance of the manager is
invoked for the designated master machine. Any modifications
made during that session are then propagated to each of
the managed hosts in the group.
This scheme is very much like NIS, where account
information is distributed from a server to a set of clients.
WARNING:
It is important to realize that host group operations are
propagated literally. For example, if you add a local
serial printer called Nemo as part of a group
operation, a separate printer is added to each managed
host with the same name and configuration.
If the managed hosts do not have the same type of printer
connected in the same manner, the operation will fail.
The managed hosts will not be configured to use
the printer on the master host.
Machine groups are only supported by a
subset of SCOadmin managers.
The following operations can be performed:
Configuring a host group
To use the host group feature, you must first create a
host group:
-
Start the desired SCOadmin manager.
-
Select
Hosts Open Host Group.
-
To define or change the master host,
enter the host name in the ``Master Host'' field, or click
on Select to choose from a list.
-
To add a managed host,
enter a the host name in the ``Managed Host'' field, or click
on Select to choose from a list. Click on
Add.
-
To delete a managed host from the group, select it from the
``Managed Host List'' list and click on Delete.
-
Choose the type of alerting desired:
Never-
display no messages
On Error-
display error messages and ask whether to skip to
the next host in the group only when an error occurs
Always-
display errors and always ask for confirmation before
proceeding to the next host
-
Click on OK when your changes are complete.
-
An additional copy of the manager is started for the master host
you selected. You can proceed with making changes
to the group as described in
``Performing a host group operation'',
or simply finish by closing both copies of the manager.
Performing a host group operation
Once you have a host group defined, follow these steps
to make a change to a group of machines:
-
Start the desired SCOadmin manager. For example, the
Defaults Manager.
-
Select
Hosts Open Host Group.
-
Click on OK.
-
After a moment, another instance of the SCOadmin manager appears.
For example, if you are running the Defaults Manager,
another copy is started on top of the first.
-
Perform the desired operation(s) using the manager.
Each time you perform a complete operation (for example,
editing a default file), it is replicated on
each of the managed hosts.
-
If you have elected to receive
alerts,
they are displayed as the replicated changes
are performed.
-
When your changes are complete, close the second copy of
the manager and then the first.
Reading or writing a host group file
You can save a host group file for use elsewhere and then
read it in:
-
Start the desired SCOadmin manager.
-
Select
Hosts Open Host Group.
-
Select Read or Write in the ``Open File''
field. A standard file dialog is opened to select the file.
-
Click on OK.
-
Close both copies of the manager.
Next topic:
Using the SCOadmin Setup Wizard
Previous topic:
Selecting another host to manage
© 2004 The SCO Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
UnixWare 7 Release 7.1.4 - 22 April 2004