Adding Conditions to Computer Types

Computer Types are used to categorise computers in Activate.

A computer type is calculated from the //Resources/Computers/ComputerTypes configuration. Activate checks each configured type in order and compares the matching rules against properties on the ComputerDirectoryEntry.

The first matching type is assigned to the computer.

Computer Types are mainly used with service delivery methods. They allow services to be deployed only to specific types of computers, or to prevent a service from being deployed to computers that do not meet the required criteria.

For example, a service delivery method can be configured so that it is only available for Windows 11 computers, server devices, kiosk machines, or another defined computer category.

Use Computer Types when you need to control which computers can be selected for a service deployment.

Common examples include:

This is useful when the operating system alone is not specific enough to determine whether a computer should be eligible for a service.

Navigate to:

Computer Types are defined inside a <types> node. Each <type> has a name and a <match> section.

The <match> section contains one or more properties that Activate checks against the ComputerDirectoryEntry.

In this example, Activate checks the computer's operatingSystem property and assigns the first matching type.

The final Other type acts as a fallback because it matches any computer name.

To make a Computer Type more specific, add additional properties to the <match> section and set the match type to all.

In this example, a computer is only classified as Finance Workstations when both conditions match:

If either condition does not match, Activate continues checking the remaining computer types.

Computer Types are evaluated in the order they appear in the configuration.

The first matching type is selected and assigned to the computer. A computer can only have one Computer Type.

For this reason, more specific types should be listed before more general types.

For example, this order is recommended:

This ensures that a Finance workstation is matched before the broader Win10 type.

Computer Types are used by delivery methods through the AvailableComputers parameter.

If a delivery method has AvailableComputers configured, Activate treats it as a computer-based delivery method. The selected computer must match one of the allowed Computer Types before the delivery method can be used.

For example, if a delivery method has:

then only computers with the Win11 Computer Type can be selected for that delivery method.

If a selected computer does not match the allowed type, Activate prevents the selection and requires a valid computer to be chosen.

Computer Type matching can use properties available on the ComputerDirectoryEntry, including: