Collections that are based on direct-membership rules need to be manually updated by the Configuration Manager administrator (in the same manner as each resource was originally added to the collection when it was created). Collections that are query-based, however, can be automatically updated by Configuration Manager. Normally, this is done based on the schedule that you set when creating a collection. (Pre-installed collections update once per day by default.) A collection is also automatically updated whenever a collection is modified or a linked collection is deleted.

It is sometimes useful, however, to update a collection outside of the normal schedule, a process referred to as "forcing an update." You can force an update to all collections at once or to any individual collection at any point in time. When you update a collection, Configuration Manager 2007 reevaluates the resources in the site against the membership rules that are defined for the collection. The updated resource list appears in the results pane.

Note
Forcing a collection update causes the request for reevaluation as well as the collection definition to be propagated to child sites, which will increase network traffic. Additionally, updating all collections at will can also increase network traffic, dramatically so in the case of large sites with many collections or clients.

You must have Read permissions for the Collection security object type to view the properties for resources in that collection. For more information about security permissions, see Classes and Instances for Object Security in Configuration Manager.

To update an individual collection

  1. In the Configuration Manager console, navigate to System Center Configuration Manager / Site Database / Computer Management / Collections.

  2. Right-click the specific collection that you want to update, and then click Update Collection Membership.

  3. If you also want to update all associated subcollections of the selected collection, select the Update subcollection membership check box.

  4. Click OK.

To update all collections at once

  1. In the Configuration Manager console, navigate to System Center Configuration Manager / Site Database / Computer Management.

  2. Right-click Collections, and then click Update Collection Membership.

  3. Click OK.

See Also