Importing New Computers from a Text File

The brains in Altiris' documentation department are brilliant! We stumbled across this gem in the DS 6.5 Docs and couldn't help but pass it along.

You can import computer configuration data using delimited text files (.txt, .csv, or .imp files) to establish multiple computer accounts in the Deployment Server database. This file contains all configuration data for a new computer, including all settings displayed in the Computer Properties of a selected computer.

View and edit computer properties by double-clicking a computer icon in the Computers pane, or right-clicking and selecting Properties, or clicking the icon in the toolbar.

To import new computers:

1. Click File > Import/Export > Import Computers.
   A dialog box will open allowing you to select import files. These files can have txt, csv, or imp extensions.




2. Select the import file. Click Open.
   If a correctly formatted computer import file is selected, then a message box displays, informing you that the computer import is complete and identify the number of computers added. Click OK on this message box.
   New computers will display as pre-configured computer accounts in the Computers area of the console (as single computers or in groups), and any jobs imported from the import file will be listed in the Jobs area.
   

   Note: Jobs can be added to the import file. They can be created and associated with the new computers.
   
   If the computer import file is incorrectly formatted, a warning displays, stating that the computer import file is incorrect.




3. Edit computer settings by selecting a computer from the list and clicking the Properties button.




4. The Computer Properties sheet opens to edit or add values not set in the import file, such as computer name, TCP/ IP settings, user name, and other configuration settings.




5. Click OK.
   The imported computers displays in the Computers pane of the Deployment console.

You can also import a computer to be placed in a sub-folder in the Computers pane and create a job to be associated with the imported computer. See the sample import file for additional information.

Referencing the Sample Import File

When creating an import file, use either the ImportComputers55.txt file or the ImportComputers55.xls file in the Samples folder of the Deployment Share. The ImportComputers55.txt file provides a sample import template you can access to test the Import feature. The ImportComputers55.xls file is a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet that lets you add values to each identified column and then save the file as a delimited TXT file to import to the Deployment Database. The sample import file places a computer (DB Computer 1) in a computer group (Test Group) and adds a job (Test Job) that is associated with the imported computer.

Note: Altiris Deployment Solution 5.5 and later use the 5.5 format for importing computers. Previous versions of Deployment Solution use the 4.0 format.

Deploying New Computers on a Mass Scale

If you need to deploy large numbers of computers (100 to 5,000), consider using a barcode scanning system to collect user information (names, OS and application needs) and computer information (MAC address, serial numbers, asset tags). You can save this information to a file, which can then be imported into the New Computers List View. Depending on the number of incoming computers, the amount of information you have about those computers, and the needs of individual users, you can use either the preconfigured computer account method (best for smaller numbers of new computers) or the Initial Deployment job (best when deploying generic setups by departments or groups).

If you are using an import file, make sure you know primary lookup key. This is the piece of information that Deployment Server needs to set up a unique computer. The primary lookup key can be Serial Number, Asset Tag, UUID, or MAC address.