Otto allows you to configure machines in bulk. This allows you to push software to many machines at once, transfer many machines at once to a different group, etc. These actions are taken on a Group.
On the right side you'll see the Systems section. This section allows you to pair a new system (or many new systems) into the group and also provides a button for each bulk action.
Duplicate Systems
This allows you to duplicate systems in bulk. This function is intended to make it easy to replace systems with new hardware. Duplicating systems creates new systems and copies over Admins, RDPs, package selections, configuration selections, custom names (if not prefix-serial_number), Otto Name, and User.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Duplicating systems also prestages the new systems.
After clicking Duplicate Systems, a screen where you can select, all, none, or some of the machines in the group displays. Select the systems and then click Proceed.
A form to provide the new serial numbers for each system then displays. Hitting the Enter key from a serial number field takes you to the next serial number field (this is how most hand scanners work).
- If the machine is named prefix-serial_number (like MiWorkspace computers), Otto will name the machine with your new serial number.
- If the machine has a custom name, it will name the new machines with the same name as the old machine. This lets you replace computers with new hardware and keep their names consistent.
Once you click Submit, the new systems will be created, configured, and then prestaged. The old systems in Otto remain the same except their Otto Name is appended with "(Old)" to make it easy to identify a machine that's been replaced.
System Package and Configuration Selections
This allows you to add or remove packages or configurations from multiple systems at once. First, you're prompted to select the systems you wish to configure.
Next, you can Add or Remove a package/configuration from those systems. When you click Update Package Selections, Otto adds or removes the package/configuration from each of the selected systems.
Transfer Systems
This allows you to move multiple machines to a new group at once. It also automatically prestages the systems in their new group. If a Successor Group is set on the originating group, that group is already selected as the destination.
Clicking Transfer Systems displays a form where you can select some, all, or none of the systems in the group to transfer.
Click Transfer Systems at the bottom and confirm, and then allow Otto a few minutes to prestage the machines. Then you're ready to initiate the task sequence on the systems.
Prestage Systems
This allows you prestage systems in bulk. Select some or all systems.
Delete Systems
When deleting Windows systems, you need to decide if you want to merely clear the record from Otto, or if you want to retire the system from service.
- As the dialog explains, deleting systems from Active Directory, MDT, and SCCM will immediately take effect, rendering the system inaccessible in the field. Make sure you understand your options before using this feature.
IMPORTANT NOTE: In Otto, multiple different systems (whose unique identifier is serial number) may have the same Name.
- The Name is used for the active directory account. Whichever system was most recently prestaged will take over the name AND the trust relationship in Active Directory.
- Similarly, when deleting a system in Active Directory, it's deleted by Name, which could affect more than one system if multiple systems share the same name.
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