---
title: "Controlling NetMRI with Device Groups"
canonical: "https://docs.infoblox.com/space/netmri760/357140495/Controlling%20NetMRI%20with%20Device%20Groups"
format: markdown
---
Basic device groups limit their processing options to a minimum. Basic device groups do not contribute to NetMRI Network Scorecard calculations and significantly reduce back-end processing. You can define group membership criteria. For more information, see [*Understanding Device Group Membership Criteria*](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357467839).

Extended device groups provide a substantial collection of settings to determine how an extended device group processes its information. Along with defining group membership criteria, a number of options help determine the level and types of processing performed by an extended device group:

- **Include non-network devices**: Enables collecting end-host network segments into a basic device group to avoid expanding system processing cycles on network devices that do not require them.
- **Rank**: For more information, see <span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357238794)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u>Ranking</u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357238794)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357238794)</span>[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357238794)<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357238794)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u>Device</u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357238794)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357238794)</span>[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357238794)<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357238794)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u>Groups</u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357238794)</span>*.
- **Polling Frequency**: Allows you to modify the default polling frequency for all devices or for specific device groups. For more information, see [*Creating Extended Device Groups*](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357535200).
- **Switch** **Port** **data** **collection**: Enable this only for device groups with L2/L3 Ethernet switching devices as members. This allows you to enforce custom periodic or scheduled polling settings for specific groups. For more information, see <span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357402911)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u>Device</u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357402911)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357402911)</span>[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357402911)<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357402911)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u>Groups</u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357402911)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357402911)</span>[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357402911)<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357402911)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u>and</u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357402911)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357402911)</span>[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357402911)<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357402911)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u>Switch</u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357402911)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357402911)</span>[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357402911)<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357402911)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u>Port</u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357402911)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357402911)</span>[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357402911)<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357402911)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u>Management</u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357402911)</span>*.
- **Collect** **performance** **and** **environmental** **data**: Enable or disable device performance and environmental information. For more information, see * Changing Performance Data Collection Settings*.
- **Probe** **for** **open** **ports**: Allows NetMRI to probe for open TCP/UDP ports on member devices.
- **Identify device using fingerprinting**: For more information, see *<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u>Defining</u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357140149)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357140149)</span>[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357140149)<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357140149)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u>Group</u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357140149)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357140149)</span>[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357140149)<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357140149)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u>Data</u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357140149)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357140149)</span>[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357140149)<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357140149)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u>Collection</u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357140149)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357140149)</span>[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357140149)<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357140149)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u>Settings</u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357140149)</span>*.
- **Probe** **for** **NetBIOS** **name**: For more information, see *<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u>Defining</u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357140149)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357140149)</span>[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357140149)<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357140149)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u>Group</u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357140149)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357140149)</span>[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357140149)<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357140149)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u>Data</u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357140149)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357140149)</span>[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357140149)<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357140149)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u>Collection</u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357140149)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357140149)</span>[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357140149)<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357140149)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u>Settings</u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357140149)</span>*.
- **Analyze** **for** **Issues**: For more information, see *<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u>Evaluating</u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357631482)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357631482)</span>[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357631482)<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357631482)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u>Issues</u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357631482)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357631482)</span>[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357631482)<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357631482)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u>in</u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357631482)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357631482)</span>[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357631482)<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357631482)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u>NetMRI</u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357631482)</span>* and *<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u>Viewing</u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357500407/Inspecting+Devices+in+the+Network#InspectingDevicesintheNetwork-bookmark430)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357500407/Inspecting+Devices+in+the+Network#InspectingDevicesintheNetwork-bookmark430)</span>[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357500407/Inspecting+Devices+in+the+Network#InspectingDevicesintheNetwork-bookmark430)<u> </u><span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357826756)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u>Device</u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357826756)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357826756)</span>[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357826756)<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357826756)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u>Issues,</u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357826756)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357826756)</span>[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357826756)<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357826756)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u>Configurations,</u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357826756)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357826756)</span>[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357826756)<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357826756)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u>and</u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357826756)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357826756)</span>[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357826756)<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357826756)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u>Changes</u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357826756)</span>*.
- **Test** **for** **default** **credentials**: Allows NetMRI to test all devices in the group for the presence of vendor default SNMP credentials, which are a potential element for security breaches, but are also used for assistance in collecting device configurations. Credential default testing is also a compliance measure.
- **Collect** **config** **files**: For more information, see beginning with *<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u>Configuration</u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357467653)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357467653)</span>[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357467653)<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357467653)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u>Management</u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357467653)</span>*.
- **Regard** **configurations** **as** **'Locked'**: Disallows editing of any collection configuration files for members of the device group.
- **Allow** **script** **execution**: Allows the execution of Perl and CCS scripts on group member devices.
- **Enable** **Discovery** **Blackout**: Define time periods when NetMRI will not communicate with devices or networks for discovery.
- **Enable** **Change** **Blackout**: Define blackouts for CLI interaction, scheduled or run-now job executions, Telnet/SSH proxy, and port control UI features for all devices in the group. For more information, see [*Defining Blackout Periods*](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357632233).

All settings are further described in the topic *<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u>Creating</u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357402341)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357402341)</span>[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357402341)<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357402341)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u>Device</u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357402341)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357402341)</span>[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357402341)<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u> </u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357402341)</span>*<span style="color: #0000ff">[<u>Groups</u>](https://infoblox-docs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/netmri760/pages/357402341)</span>*.

You can convert basic device groups to extended device groups, and also the reverse, at any time.

Some types of network devices warrant more processing by NetMRI, such as the collection of performance and environmental data, open ports probing, NetBIOS name probing, collecting of configuration files, analyzing for issues, and other device processing features. Some device types can be quickly excluded from complex processing tasks by simply assigning them to a basic device group. Many end-host networks may fall into this category.

> ⚠️ **Note**
> ⚠️ 
> ⚠️ For efficient system operation, NetMRI provides a limit of 250 Extended device groups and 250 Basic device groups. Use Extended groups sparingly to avoid significant load on the system.