Resolution
Can I create an security template INF file from a GPO using NetIQ Group Policy Administrator?
goal
Is there were a way to define a master security template for new GPO creations?
fact
NetIQ Group Policy Administrator 5.0
fact
Group Policy Administrator 3.0
fact
Group Policy Administrator 4.x
fix
The Microsoft Security Template MMC allows you to design security templates (INF) that you can then apply. NetIQ Group Policy Administrator (GPA) does not have the ability to create Security Template inf files from existing GPO's.
The copy/paste functionality of NetIQ GPA allows you to copy the settings from a template GPO and then apply them to your target GPO. The Copy/Paste functionality is more robust than using Security Templates. Security Templates only sets settings under Computer Configuration |Window Settings | Security Settings tree, while Copy/Paste sets all setting in the target GPO except for software and IP securities.
Another option is to use the Import function of NetIQ GPA. As opposed to Copy, this action completely overwrites policy objects in the second GPO, including software and IP securities. The Import feature uses a backup folder as the source of the policy objects, rather than the GPA tree. In other words, the GPO from which you are copying information must be backed up before you import the information to another GPO.
Information on Copy/Paste and Import operations is detailed in the Group Policy Administrator User Guide in the chapter on Advanced Tasks under the section called Copy, Import, Merge, & Delete.