Data Managers

Using another Wolftech created program called LDAPSurfer, once a night GuardDog finds every user in the university and proceeds to add them to it's database automatically. In addition to just adding the users to GuardDog, LDAPSurfer also adds and removes users from automatic groups where necessary, creates automatic groups, and updates the .htaccess files for GuardDog areas whenever necessary.

At times though, LDAPSurfer cannot detect special circumstances that exist within a department. Some faculty members, for example, are only automatically added to one of the many areas they may fall under. The role of a data manager is to make sure that within each department all users who should be in a certain group are in that group.

Getting Started - Adding a Group GuardDog Data Manager Created Group

Groups created by data stewards are much different than groups created by normal GuardDog users. Since data stewards are considered to be the caretakers of their specific department's data, groups created by data stewards are mounted to previously existing automatically created groups and then visible to all GuardDog users. This allows data stewards to create groups such as "[Departmental Research Group] Faculty" that any GuardDog user can use when setting up their GuardDog areas. Groups that are unmounted do not appear to normal GuardDog users.

To add a group click on the Add Group tab. Once you have entered a group name on this page, click on Add Group to add the group to the GuardDog database.

Getting Started - Managing a Group GuardDog Data Manager Created Group

The Manage Groups page gives you a list of all the areas that you have the option of editing. If you select the Edit link next to an data manager group (a group with the GuardDog Data Manager Created Group icon to the left of it), you will see the following options:

  • Modify Group IconModify Group - Allows you to change the name of your group.
  • Mount Group IconMount Group - Allows you to change where the group is mounted and therefore how it appears to normal GuardDog users.
  • Remove Group IconRemove Group - Allows you to remove the group.
  • Configure Groups IconConfigure Group Membership - Allows you to choose which groups you would like to be members of your specific group.
  • Configure Users IconConfigure User Membership - Allows you to choose which individual users you would like to be members of your specific group.