How to Create a Host Group Structure in VMM

Updated: May 13, 2016

Applies To: System Center 2012 SP1 - Virtual Machine Manager, System Center 2012 R2 Virtual Machine Manager, System Center 2012 - Virtual Machine Manager

You can use the following procedures to create a host group structure in Virtual Machine Manager (VMM) that aligns to your organizational needs.

To create a host group structure

1. Open the Fabric workspace.

2. In the Fabric pane, expand Servers, and then do either of the following:

   • Right-click All Hosts, and then click Create Host Group.

   • Click All Hosts. On the Folder tab, in the Create group, click Create Host Group.

   VMM creates a new host group that is named New host group, with the host group name highlighted.

3. Type a new name, and then press ENTER.

   For example, type Seattle, and then press ENTER.

   Note

   To rename a host group, do either of the following:

   • Right-click the host group, and then click Rename.
   • On the General tab of the host group properties, enter the host group name in the Name box.

4. Repeat the steps in this procedure to create the rest of the host group structure.

   For example, create the following host group structure. This host group structure is used in the examples throughout the documentation and is used to help demonstrate the concepts. You can adapt the examples to your test environment.

   Tip

   To create a host group at a specific location in the tree, right-click the desired parent node, and then click Create Host Group.

   Seattle

   Tier0_SEA

   Tier1_SEA

   Tier2_SEA

   New York

   Tier0_NY

   Tier1_NY

   Tier2_NY

   Note

   This example host group structure is based on location and the capabilities of the hardware, including the level of redundancy. For example, in Tier0 you may have clustered hosts, the fastest and most reliable storage with replication, load balancing and the most network throughput. Tier1 may have clustered hosts, but lower speed storage that is not replicated. Tier2 may consist of stand-alone hosts with the lowest speed storage, and possibly less bandwidth. This is just one example of a host group structure. In your organization you may use a different model, such as one that is based on applications or server role, type of hypervisor, business unit or delegation model.

To move a host group to another location

1. Open the Fabric workspace.

2. In the Fabric pane, expand Servers, and then expand All Hosts.

3. To move a host group to another location in the tree, do any of the following:

   • Drag the host group that you want to move to its new location in the tree.

   • Right-click the host group that you want to move, and then click Move. In the Parent host group list, click a parent host group, and then click OK.

   • Click the host group that you want to move. On the Folder tab, in the Actions group, click Move. In the Parent host group list, click a parent host group, and then click OK.

Creating Host Groups in VMM
How to Configure Host Group Properties in VMM