Applications Systems

SAM: Assign Template to Group not working for Windows Workstation

This article explains why workstation nodes are not assigned an SAM application monitor template when using the Assign to Group option, even though these nodes are visible members of the group.

First published date

3/31/2026 2:43 PM

Last published date

3/31/2026 2:43 PM

Overview

This article explains why workstation nodes are not assigned a SAM application monitor template when using the Assign to Group option, even though these nodes are visible members of the group.

Symptom

  • An SAM application monitor template is assigned to a group that includes workstation nodes.

  • The assignment wizard shows 0 nodes, and no templates are applied to workstation members.

  • Assigning the template directly to the individual workstation node works without issue.

  • Windows Server nodes in the same group or a similar group are assigned templates successfully.

Product section

Server Application Monitor

Cause

This behavior is By Design.

SolarWinds determines a node's machine type during polling using the following WMI query:

SELECT * FROM Win32_OperatingSystem

The OS Caption returned by this query sets the IsServer flag in the NodesData table:

  • Windows Server editions → IsServer = True

  • Windows Workstation editions (Windows 10, Windows 11) → IsServer = False

When assigning a template to a group, the Advanced section of the Assign to Group wizard contains the option:

"Assign this template only to the servers in this group"

This option is enabled by default. Since Windows 10 and Windows 11 nodes are classified as workstations (IsServer = FalseThey are excluded from the group assignment when this option is checked.

Examples of OS Captions that result in IsServer = False:

  • Microsoft Windows 10 Pro

  • Microsoft Windows 11 Enterprise

Resolution

To assign an SAM application monitor template to Windows workstation nodes via group assignment, uncheck the "Assign this template only to the servers in this group" option in the Advanced section during the assignment process.

Steps:

  1. Go to Settings > All Settings > SAM Settings > Manage Templates > Application Monitor Templates.

  2. Select the template(s) to assign and click Assign to Group.

  3. Select the group from the Available Groups column and click Next.

  4. Expand the Advanced section.

  5. Uncheck "Assign this template only to the servers in this group."

  6. Provide credentials and click Assign Groups.

  7. Click Done and allow up to 10 minutes for the assignment to complete.