Using the ManualMC.txt Text File

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You can also specify computers for discovery and agent installation by adding computer names to a ManualMC.txt file. Listing computers in the ManualMC.txt file overrides all Computer Discovery rules, except rules that specifically exclude computers.

Note

The management mode is set to Agent-managed for all computers discovered by using this method, including any domain controllers that are listed.

You cannot use the ManualMC.txt file method for discovering computers in a non-trusted domain.

In MOM 2005, the ManualMC.txt file is not used to add agents that you have installed manually. Instead, it is used as an alternate method for targeting computers. MOM installs agents on the computers that are listed in the ManualMC.txt file. You do not need to add to this list computers with agents that were manually installed.

During full computer discovery, MOM places any new computers that have been added to the ManualMC.txt file into the Pending Actions folder. If the Management Server is configured to automatically install agents, the computer is automatically approved for agent installation during the next full computer discovery. If the Management Server is configured to not automatically install agents, you must process the computer by installing an agent or approving it for agent installation during the next full computer discovery. For more information, see the "Processing Computer in the Pending Actions Folder" section later in this chapter.

To use the ManualMC.txt file to specify computers for discovery

  1. On the Management Server, create a text file named ManualMC.txt in the directory where you installed MOM 2005. The default installation directory is \%SystemRoot%\Program Files\Microsoft Operations Manager 2005.

  2. Add the computer names to the ManualMC.txt file.

  3. Save the file as an ANSI (default), Unicode, or UTF-8 encoded file.

Guidelines for Adding Computer Names to the ManualMC.txt File

When you add computer names to the ManualMC.txt file, use the following guidelines:

  • Enter one computer name per line.

  • Do not leave blank lines between computer names.

  • Add the computer names by using any of the following conventions:

    • Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN) name - only if the computer is joined to an Active Directory domain.

    • NetBIOS name. (The character limit for NetBIOS computer names is 15 characters.)

    • Domain\ComputerName.

    • Workgroup Name\ Computer Name.

You can remove agents from any computer in a ManualMC.txt file by simply removing the computers entry in the file and making sure that there are no other rules that include the computer. The agent will be removed during the next scheduled discovery, or you can do this immediately by right-clicking a Management Server and then clicking Run Computer Discovery Now.