The inventory database information provided with LAN Inventory can be
customized to apply specifically to your network environment. For example,
you might want to maintain a list of the hardware manufacturers who supply
your network equipment. In addition to the Manufacturers determined by the
LAN Inventory collection programs (i.e., EQUIP, SA_EQUIP or MACEQUIP), you
might want to list and track another manufacturer.
Use the following procedure to modify a database record.
1. Choose Inventory from the Administration menu. From the sub-menu that is
displayed, choose the Qualification Lists command.
The Qualification Lists option is also a sub-menu that lists the LAN
Inventory databases.
2. Choose the database you want to modify.
A database is chosen by clicking on the database name. The records of the
selected database display.
3. Modify the database record information.
The modifications that can be made to a record depend on the selected
database. As mentioned above, many database records provided with LAN
Inventory cannot be edited or deleted. Possible modifications include
the following:
o Adding a record - To add a new record, choose the Add button. An
Add dialog box is displayed prompting you to specify required
information about the new record. Enter the information, and choose
the OK button. The new record is added to the qualification list.
o Editing a record - To edit an existing record, select the record
from the list and choose the Edit button. An Edit dialog box is
displayed with the selected record's information. Make changes to the
information, and choose the OK button. The record's information is
updated.
o Deleting a record - To delete an existing record, select the
record from the list and choose the Delete button. A prompt is
displayed asking "Do you Want to Proceed?" Choose the Yes button to
delete the record.
o Printing all records - To print all records in the database,
choose the Print button. The entire database is sent to the printer
as defined by your current print parameters.
o Unmarking all records - The MAC and PC Software Lists have an
Unmark option. To deselect all highlighted records, choose the Unmark
button. (A record is highlighted or selected by clicking on the
record entry. Multiple records can be selected by clicking on them
one at a time.)
o Sorting all records - The MAC and PC Software Lists have a Sort
option. To change the sorting order for all records in a list, choose
the Sort button. A dialog box is displayed listing the available sort
options. Select a sort order, and choose the OK button. The records
are sorted and displayed according to the selected method.
o Hiding/Unhiding a record - The MAC and PC Software Lists have a
Hide option. To keep certain records hidden from the software
inventory list while performing an audit, select the record(s) and
choose the Hide/Toggle button. A checkmark is displayed next to all
hidden records. The hide action works as a toggle (e.g., if a hidden
record is selected when Hide/Toggle is chosen, the record will be
unhidden). Multiple records can be selected by clicking on them one at
a time.
Hidden records can be viewed in the database list; however, they will not
appear in an inventory list.
NOTES: a - Many Macintosh applications consist of only one file; therefore,
be careful when hiding files in the MAC Software List.
b - To hide a file from inventory, the file must be hidden before EQUIP is
run on a machine which has the file. Once a file is detected by EQUIP, the
file is recorded in inventory upon running an audit. If it is subsequently
hidden, the file will be considered as "missing" after the next audit is
performed.
4. Choose the Close button to close the database dialog box.
4.5 Database Descriptions
This section describes the contents of the LAN Inventory qualification lists.
Note that not all of the lists are populated with information upon the
installation of LAN Inventory. For example, there are no records in the
Components and Models lists until you perform an audit.
4.5.1 Categories Database
A Category is the broadest classification of LAN equipment, identifying
hardware and software for PCs, MACs, Fileservers and Fax Servers. Examples of
records on this database are File Server Hardware, File Server Software and
PC Hardware. One 30 character field defines a category record.
4.5.2 Classes Database
Classes provide further definitions for the Category and Type records. They
include the individual components and add-ons which make up a category or a
type (e.g., Base Memory, Keyboard, Monitor, Ports).
4.5.3 Components Database
The Components database gathers information from several other database
records to develop a complete record for a specific hardware component or
software item. The key fields which must be specified when adding or editing
a component record are:
o Category
o Class
o Manufacturer
o Product Name
Secondary/optional component record fields are:
o Model
o Vendor
o Maintenance Vendor
o Contract Type
o Warranty Information (start date and length of warranty)
All fields of a component record can be selected from drop-down lists, with
the exception of Product Name which must be manually entered.
4.5.4 Contract Types Database
The Contract Types database defines the generic types of contracts that are
in effect in your company. For example, you can specify a contract type as
the period of time a contract is effective (e.g., Two Years) or as a specific
type of contract (e.g., Maintenance Only). One ten character field defines a
contract type record.
4.5.5 Departments Database
Departments can be defined as:
o An individual organization or group in your company, for example, Sales,
Finance, or Customer Service.
o A line of business or profit center, for example, retail operations or
some product-specific definition.
o Any logical grouping of people in your company, for example, MIS-Southwest
Operations and MIS-Western Operations.
Departments are used to identify the hardware and software in specific areas
during an inventory/audit. One 30 character field defines a Department record.
4.5.6 Locations Database
The Locations database contains a name for each site and/or physical location
at which inventories are performed. Examples are Lab, Shipping or Accounting.
One 25 character field defines a locations record.
4.5.7 MAC Software List Database
The MAC Software database provided with LAN Inventory contains a list of
popular Macintosh software applications. The software detected by MACEQUIP
during an inventory is compared against this list. Each application record
includes a Product Name (49 characters), File Creator (4 characters), Version
(9 characters). A sub-set of this database that can be viewed when editing a
record includes fields for File Size (7 characters), Manufacturer Name
(selected from the Manufacturers database) and Category (an optional field
selected from the Software Categories database). You have the option of
sorting this database for display in File Name order or Product Name order.
Many applications require more than one executable file to run the software.
To accommodate this and reduce the number of files listed in the software
databases, LAN Inventory lets you mark a particular file to be considered as
the key or identifying component of a software package. The package
identifier is based on the package name, file size and version number.
4.5.8 Manufacturers Database
The Manufacturers database contains the names of companies that produce
equipment and products or provide services (e.g., McAfee, Inc., Microsoft).
A sub-set of this database allows addresses, phone, and FAX numbers of each
manufacturer to be captured. One 30 character field defines a Manufacturers
record.
4.5.9 Models Database
The Models database contains records for each model used in your network
(e.g., Compaq 386, PS2). One 25 character field defines a Models record.
4.5.10 Names Database
The Names database contains a record for each network user. One 48 character
field defines a user name record.
4.5.11 PC Software List Database
The PC Software database provided with LAN Inventory contains a list of
popular PC software applications. The software detected by EQUIP during an
inventory is compared against this list. Each application record includes a
File Name (12 characters), Product Name (49 characters), Version (9
characters). A sub-set of this database that can be viewed when editing a
record includes fields for File Size (9 characters) and Manufacturer Name
(selected from the Manufacturers database). You have the option of sorting
this database for display in File Name order or Product Name order.
Many applications require more than one executable file to run the software.
To accommodate this and reduce the number of files listed in the software
databases, LAN Inventory lets you mark a particular file to be considered as
the key or identifying component of a software package. A package identifier
is based on the package name, file size and version number, and it is marked
as the "identifier" by choosing the Hide/Toggle button to hide all the other
supporting files (i.e., the identifier is the only file that is not hidden).
4.5.12 Software Categories Database
The Software Categories database classifies various types of software
according to their general purpose. Several Software Categories database
records are provided with LAN Inventory (e.g., games, spreadsheets, word
processors). Additional records can be added, and existing records can be
modified.
4.5.13 Types Database
The Types database identifies specific machine types (e.g., File Server,
Workstation, MAC, and Spare Parts). One 30 character field defines a types
record.
4.6 Baseline Inventory Export/Import
4.6.1 About the Baseline Inventory
The baseline inventory is the equipment inventory database that is updated
each time an audit is performed. This database is an accumulation of the
most currently audited inventory information.
LAN Inventory collection programs (EQUIP, SA_EQUIP, MACEQUIP) place the
collected hardware and software data in "transaction files." The audit
process compiles the transaction files and compares the most recently
collected equipment inventory information against the current baseline. As a
result, a new updated baseline inventory database is created.
The baseline is made up of equipment inventory records which contain data
specific to each type of equipment, as identified in the Types qualification
list. The equipment inventory records maintain data such as manufacturer,
network address, memory, software applications, and storage. During an audit,
information is gathered from the LAN Inventory qualification lists and the
equipment inventory. The data that is audited depends on the audit parameters
that are defined during the audit set-up (e.g., scope, software options). A
baseline may even include inventory data from stand-alone PCs and MACs,
provided that the stand-alone inventory data is loaded into the transaction
inventory before the audit is performed.
This section discusses the procedures that can be performed with the baseline
inventory data. These procedures include:
o Exporting the baseline inventory data outside of LAN Inventory for use in
other applications (e.g., a spreadsheet or database application).
o Importing baseline-type files into LAN Inventory from other applications.
o Removing inventory data for a specific site from the baseline.
4.6.2 Exporting the Baseline Inventory
Use the following procedure to create an export file of your baseline. In
addition to selecting the export file format, you have the option of
selecting a specific site whose data you want to export.
1. Choose Inventory from the Administration menu. From the sub-menu that is
displayed, choose the Export Baseline command.
The Export Baseline dialog box is displayed.
2. Choose the site data to be exported.
To view a complete list of sites, click on the down arrow button to the
right of the Site to Export field. Highlight an individual site name, or
click on the <All Values> entry to include all site data in the export
file.
NOTE: Either the data from one specific site can be exported, or the data
from all sites can be exported.
3. Define the Equipment Options to be included in the export file.
Select the Long Identifier option if you want the export file to include
the following identifying fields: location, department, asset tag, site,
user name, unique ID, component category/class/description/tag,
manufacturer, model, vendor, serial #, internal ID, cost center,
warranty length/dates, purchase date/price, cost to date, and maintenance
vendor/contract type.
Select the Short Identifier option if you want the export file to include
all of the above except the location, department, and asset tag fields.
4. Define the Component Options to be included in the export file.
This is an optional step. If you want the export file to include specific
export data that is extracted from the Equipment Inventory record, choose
any number of the available component options.
o Purchasing Information refers to the purchasing data entered into
the Equipment Component dialog box for each workstation (as discussed
in the section "Maintaining Component Information" in Chapter 8).
o Maintenance Information refers to the maintenance contract data
entered into the Equipment Component dialog box for each workstation
(as discussed in the section "Maintaining Component Information" in
Chapter 8).
o Software Details refers to information about the software residing
on the workstation or file server (or other type of equipment you may
have in your Types qualification list).
NOTE: The purchasing information, maintenance information, and software
details referred to above can be reviewed by choosing the Inventory command
from the View menu. Select a specific node from the Inventory dialog box to
display the node's equipment details. Choose the Software Applications button
to review the software programs associated with the workstation. Choose the
Misc Equipment button to review the miscellaneous equipment associated with
the workstation.
5. Choose the Export button.
The Save Export File dialog box is displayed, prompting you to enter the
export file's name, format, and path information.
6. Specify the export file information.
In the File Name field, enter the name you want assigned to the export
file. The default dBase extension .DBF is provided. The available formats
include:
o dBase (.DBF)
o Lotus 1-2-3, Versions 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 (.WK?)
o Excel, Versions 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 (.XL?)
o VisiCalc (.DIF)
Click on the down arrow button to the right of the Save File as Type
field to display a list of formats. Select the format in which you want
the export file configured.
Specify the drive and directory path into which the export file should
be saved.
7. Choose the OK button to begin the export process.
The export status screen is displayed. A status bar shows the percentage
complete of the export. When the export is finished, the status screen is
closed.
4.6.3 Importing a Baseline Inventory File
Use the following procedure to import baseline inventory data into LAN
Inventory. The imported data is added directly into your current baseline
inventory file.
1. Choose Inventory from the Administration menu. From the sub-menu that is
displayed, choose the Import Baseline command.
The Open File to Import dialog box is displayed.
2. Specify the imported file name and file format.
If you know the name of the file to be imported, enter the full path name
into the File Name field. You can search for the full path name by
clicking on entries in the Directories and Drives lists.
Click on the down arrow button to the right of the List File as Type
field to display a list of formats. Select the format in which the import
file is configured.
3. Choose the OK button to continue.
The Import File dialog box is displayed.
4. Define the field-to-field relationships between the import file and the
baseline inventory file.
The Import File dialog box allows you to define the relationship between
the data fields in the import file and those in the LAN Inventory
baseline inventory file. The dialog box consists of the following areas:
o The Inventory Data Fields list contains every data field in a LAN
Inventory baseline record.
o The Import File Data Fields list contains every data field in a
record in your import file.
o The Included Fields list identifies the relationship between the
LAN Inventory Baseline fields and those from the Import File.
The total number of records in the import file and the number of data
fields per import file record are shown at the bottom of the dialog box.
To define the field-to-field relationship, highlight a LAN Inventory data
field from the Inventory Data Fields list, and then choose the Include
button. Then move to the Import File Data Fields list, and highlight the
data field which corresponds to the selected LAN Inventory field. Repeat
for every applicable field to build the LAN Inventory baseline record.
The selected fields appear in the Included Fields area. LAN Inventory
data fields are shown in capital letters. Import data fields are shown in
lower case letters.
For example, if your import file has a field called LOC which is
equivalent to LAN Inventory's SITE field, the Included Fields entry
appears as:
SITE = > LOC
NOTES: a - Relationships must be defined for the Site, Name, Node ID1, Node
ID2 and Type fields.
b - Imported Site names must be unique.
c - The imported file data fields must be accurately matched to the LAN
Inventory data fields to avoid misplacing the data in the baseline file.
5. Choose the Import button to begin the import process.
The import status screen is displayed. A status bar shows the progress of
the import. When the import is complete, the status screen is closed.
4.6.4 Removing a Site from the Baseline Inventory
Removing a site's data from the baseline inventory might be necessary if you
no longer require an inventory of the site's equipment.
Use the following procedure to remove a site from the baseline. Use this
procedure with caution as all equipment inventory records for the selected
sites are removed from the baseline. You should retain a backup version of
the baseline prior to purging the equipment inventory for certain sites.
(The procedures for creating a baseline backup are discussed in the section
entitled "Setting the Audit Parameters.")
NOTES: a - The baseline for your Local Site (as identified during the LAN
Inventory installation) can be purged.
b - The Purge command removes the selected site data from the baseline files
only. All site data, except that which was manually entered, remains in the
transaction files. Therefore, if you perform an audit after purging the
baseline, the data will be restored. (Refer to the next note for instructions
on permanently removing the data.)
c - To exclude the site from future audits, you must remove the site from
the audit scope and delete the site nodes from inventory (i.e., from the
Inventory dialog box).
1. Choose Inventory from the Administration menu. From the sub-menu that is
displayed, choose the Purge Baseline command.
The Purge Site from Baseline dialog box is displayed. All sites defined
for your LAN Inventory environment are listed.
2. Select the site(s) you want to remove from the baseline inventory.
To select a site for removal, click on the site name. The Number of
Sites to Be Purged counter increases as sites are selected.
3. Choose the OK button.
A dialog box is displayed with a warning message and the prompt "Do You
Want to Proceed?" Choose the Yes button to purge the equipment inventory
records for the selected sites.
5.0 Collecting Inventory
Chapter 4 discussed the inventory set-up and administrative procedures. This
chapter discusses the procedures for collecting inventory information from
both networked and stand-alone PCs and MACs.
5.1 Introduction
Equipment inventories are performed using the LAN Inventory collection
programs. These programs include:
o EQUIP.EXE - used for collecting the inventory on networked PC workstations
o SA_EQUIP.EXE - used for collecting the inventory on stand-alone PC
workstations
o MACEQUIP - used for collecting the inventory on networked and stand-alone
MAC workstations
NOTE: File server inventory can be automatically collected during the audit
process by selecting the 'Fileserver Software/Hardware' options in the Audit
Parameters dialog box. Refer to "Setting the Audit Software Options" in
Chapter 4.
5.1.1 Automating Inventory Collection
The equipment inventory process can be automated for your networked PC
workstations by placing the EQUIP command in the system login script. Refer
to "Consider Placing EQUIP in the Login Script" in Chapter 3 for an
illustration.
For networked users, each time the workstation is logged in to the network,
the EQUIP inventory collection process is invoked. Depending on the EQUIP
command line switches defined in the login script, the workstation user can
be notified of the inventory progress as it occurs. The login process can
continue after the inventory is complete. A LAN Inventory transaction file is
updated with the date and hardware or software changes that have occurred
since the last time an inventory was performed for the workstation.
NOTE: The inventory collection process cannot be automated for stand-alone
PCs and MACs. For these configurations, the equipment inventory is stored on
diskettes. The collected data must then be added to your network inventory
data. These procedures are detailed in this chapter.
5.1.2 What's in this Chapter
The following chart describes the sections in this chapter:
SECTION DESCRIPTION
EQUIP Command Line Reference Describes the command line options available
with EQUIP.
Collecting Networked PC Describes the procedures for using EQUIP in
Inventory performing an inventory on networked PCs.
Discusses executing EQUIP automatically upon
workstation login.
Collecting Stand-alone PC Describes the procedures for using SA_EQUIP
Inventory in performing an inventory on stand-alone PCs.
Describes the procedures for adding the
stand-alone PC inventory to the LAN Inventory
baseline inventory.
Collecting Networked MAC Describes how to install and configure
Inventory MACEQUIP, in preparation for taking inventory
on Macintosh equipment. Describes the
procedures for using MACEQUIP in performing
an inventory on networked MACs.
Collecting Stand-alone MAC Describes the procedures for using MACEQUIP
Inventory in performing an inventory on stand-alone
MACs. Describes the procedures for adding the
stand-alone MAC inventory to the LAN
Inventory baseline inventory.
5.2 EQUIP Command Line Reference
The EQUIP program is used to collect the hardware and software inventory of
networked PC workstations. The program is executed at the machine for which
you want to perform the inventory.
The EQUIP program's syntax is as follows:
EQUIP [drive:\path] /[options]
in which drive:\path is an optional parameter which indicates the path to the
inventory data files and /options indicates the scan parameters which are
always preceded by the slash (/) character. The brackets are not typed. One
or more options can be used on the EQUIP command line.
NOTE: The optional [drive:\path] parameter is used to execute EQUIP from
within a "transaction directory." A transaction directory contains the EQUIP
program executable and the LAN Inventory transaction files. It is used to
collect and maintain inventory data for a site other than the local LAN
Inventory site. (For more information on transaction directories, refer to
"Establishing a Separate Transaction Directory" in Chapter 3.)
The following command illustrates EQUIP execution:
F:\USER\JOE>EQUIP J:\SALES /SHOW /S
where F:\USER\JOE> is the directory on the file server from which Joe is
issuing the EQUIP command; J:\SALES is the directory in which the SALES site
inventory data is maintained (several LAN Inventory files are also located
here); /SHOW is the EQUIP switch which specifies that the collected inventory
be displayed on the screen; and /S is the EQUIP switch which specifies that
software inventory be collected.
NOTES: a - Because LAN Inventory uses the Novell Btrieve Record Manager for
database management, BTRIEVE or BREQUEST must be loaded before EQUIP is
executed. Refer to "Consider Improving LAN Inventory's Database Performance"
in Chapter 3.
b - When running the Brequestor, BSPXCOM must also be loaded on the file
server. For details on loading these programs, refer to your Novell
documentation.
The following chart lists and describes each EQUIP command line option.
OPTION DEFAULT DESCRIPTION
[drive:\path] current directory Optional parameter which represents
the path to a transaction directory
(a directory other than the LANINV
program directory which contains the
EQUIP executable and several required
LAN Inventory files).
/NOSHOW * Do not display the inventory on
screen as the collection process
occurs.
/SHOW Display the inventory on screen as
the collection process occurs.
/E[=node ID] Delete/erase a node's inventory data
from the LAN Inventory transaction
files.
/S Collect software inventory.
/H * Collect hardware inventory.
/Y * Collect system file inventory.
/V View hardware inventory only; do not
update the transaction files.
/D Run EQUIP daily.
/W Run EQUIP weekly.
/M Run EQUIP monthly.
/U[=user name] Log the user name or text string to
be associated with the node. (This
switch is only valid the first time
EQUIP is run at a node.)
More than one collection option can be specified on the EQUIP command line.
For example, the following command executes EQUIP from the current directory
and scans for software, hardware and system file inventory.
EQUIP /S /H /Y
When the EQUIP command is issued without parameters, the program will default
to a hardware and system file scan using the current directory. Further, the
collected inventory will not display (i.e., /NOSHOW mode).
The following sections explain each of the EQUIP command line options.
5.2.1 [drive:\path]
The [drive:\path] parameter tells EQUIP which directory to execute from to
update the LAN Inventory data files maintained in the specified directory.
This parameter is optional, and it can be used in any of the following three
ways:
o If no drive letter or path is specified on the EQUIP command line, then
the current directory is used.
o If only a drive letter is used (e.g., F:), then the current directory for
that drive is used.
o If the full path is specified, then the full path is used.
The brackets are not typed.
5.2.2 /NOSHOW
The /NOSHOW option instructs EQUIP not to display the detected inventory on
screen as it is collected. This is the default condition when the EQUIP
command is issued without any parameters.
NOTE: When the /NOSHOW option is specified, scan parameters must also be
provided. For example, the command 'EQUIP /NOSHOW' is invalid.
5.2.3 /SHOW
The /SHOW option instructs EQUIP to display the detected inventory on screen
as it is collected.
NOTE: When the /SHOW option is specified, scan parameters must also be
provided. For example, the command 'EQUIP /SHOW' is invalid.
5.2.4 /E
The /E option is used to delete/erase all information about a particular
network address/unique identifier from the LAN Inventory transaction files.
For example:
EQUIP /E=2C581ACF:32E1
where [node ID] is the identifier of the node to be deleted. Use uppercase
for alpha characters. Leading zeros are not required.
NOTES: a - /SHOW is the only EQUIP command line option with which the /E
switch can be used.
b - If the node to be deleted is the same node from which EQUIP is executed,
then the [node ID] specification is not required. In this case, simply enter:
EQUIP /E.
c - The node ID can be determined by running EQUIP with the /V option to
view the hardware inventory. Refer to the /V option discussion below.
If you use the EQUIP /E option and then run an audit, all information about
the deleted node will be removed from the equipment files and reported as
"missing."
If you use the EQUIP /E option and then delete the node from the
Inventory dialog box before running an audit, the node will be completely
removed from the inventory (i.e., not even considered as missing after the
next audit).
5.2.5 /S
The /S option instructs EQUIP to scan for all software applications stored on
the workstation's local hard drive(s). EQUIP searches for file names that are
listed in the PC Software qualification list (i.e., the WPCSLIST.DAT file).
Upon finding a file name that is listed in LAN Inventory's PC Software List,
EQUIP verifies the file size. If the detected file size is identical to the
file size listed in the PC Software List, then the item is included in the
updated Transaction file.
If EQUIP cannot detect a file name that previously had been detected on the
node and currently is listed in the PC Software database, it will not
include the file name in the updated transaction file. The item will be
listed as a missing application in the Inventory Log results.
NOTE: If the 'Workstation' option is checked in LAN Inventory's Software
Options dialog box, then the Unidentified PC/Fileserver Software list also
will be updated. In this case, upon finding a file name (or corresponding
file size) that is not listed in the PC Software list, the file is added to
the Unidentified PC/Fileserver Software list.
5.2.6 /H
The /H option instructs EQUIP to scan for all hardware components and
network information. Refer to Appendix A for a complete listing of hardware
inventory data.
NOTE: EQUIP detects certain items on the basis of the CMOS set-up; therefore,
the CMOS set-up on all workstations must be accurate.
5.2.7 /Y
The /Y option instructs EQUIP to scan for the system files that are specified
in LAN Inventory's Software Options dialog box. System files generally
include the following:
o AUTOEXEC.BAT
o CONFIG.SYS
o WIN.INI
o SYSTEM.INI
To detect the AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files, EQUIP scans the root
directory on the drive from which the workstation was booted. The boot drive
is determined in two ways:
o In DOS 4.0 and above, EQUIP gets the AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files
from the boot drive.
o In DOS versions prior to 4.0, EQUIP searches the first hard disk that it
finds. If there is no hard disk, EQUIP searches for the system files on the
first floppy drive it finds.
NOTE: To be detected by EQUIP, all system files must be in the workstations'
search path.
5.2.8 /V
The /V option instructs EQUIP to scan for hardware and network information
for viewing purposes only. The detected inventory information is not written
to a database and does not require Btrieve to be loaded. This option can only
be used with a scan for hardware.
The following example instructs EQUIP to perform a scan for hardware and
display the results on screen:
EQUIP /H /V
NOTE: The /V option only scans for hardware and network information. When
using /V, it is not necessary to specify the /H scan parameter.
5.2.9 /D, /W and /M
The /D, /W and /M options are called "frequency switches." These switches
refer to running EQUIP on a daily, weekly and monthly basis, respectively.
Each switch instructs EQUIP to execute only after an entire cycle. For
example, using the /D option, EQUIP will execute only once every 24 hours.
In all other cases (i.e., before 24 hours has passed), EQUIP will display
the message "No Action Taken" instead of executing. The /W option causes
EQUIP to execute once every 7 days. The /M option causes EQUIP to execute
once every month.
Placing the following command in a login script will cause EQUIP to execute
monthly and scan for software and hardware:
.....
#EQUIP /M /S /H
.....
To instruct EQUIP to execute on a particular day, you must use the Novell
DAY_OF_WEEK command, as in the following example:
.....
IF DAY_OF_WEEK="MONDAY" THEN
MAP Q:=FS1/SYS:APPS\LANINV
DRIVE Q:
#BREQUEST /D:17000
#EQUIP /H /Y /D
#ENDBTRV
MAP DEL Q:
END
.....
NOTES: a - The EQUIP frequency switches are machine specific--the next time
EQUIP executes on a machine depends on the last time EQUIP was executed on
that machine.
b - If the user does not log in to the server during the specified day, week
or month, the next time the user logs in, EQUIP determines how much time
elapsed since the last login. EQUIP will execute if the elapsed time is
greater than the option cycle.
c - In order to execute at correct cycles, a login script should have only
one EQUIP command with frequency switches. The second EQUIP command will
never be executed because of the previous EQUIP command (e.g., the cycle for
the second command will never occur). For example: MAP INS S16:=C:\.
5.2.10 /U
The /U option allows the LAN Inventory user to pass an alphanumeric string
to the inventory transaction files. This option can only be used the first
time EQUIP is executed at a workstation. It allows a name other than the
login name to be associated with the node.
For example, a Supervisor might enter the following command to log onto Joe's
machine and execute EQUIP for the first time:
EQUIP /H /Y /S /U=JOE
The above command instructs EQUIP to scan for hardware, system files,
software and pass the name "Joe" to the inventory transaction files.
5.3 Collecting Networked PC Inventory
The EQUIP program is used to collect the inventory of networked PCs. Upon
execution, EQUIP scans the hardware for a unique ID in the root directory.
This unique ID is used throughout LAN Inventory as the workstation's
identifying key.
NOTES: a - The first time EQUIP is executed at a workstation, EQUIP generates
the workstation ID and stores it in a hidden file called LAIID.CFG maintained
in the workstation's root directory.
b - The LAIID.CFG file is used to identify a workstation on which EQUIP is
executed. If the file has been deleted, EQUIP will create a new LAIID.CFG
file and consider the workstation to be a new node. As a result, two entries
for the same PC will be listed in the Inventory dialog box. Therefore, to
avoid confusion, if the LAIID.CFG file has been deleted, also delete the
node's entry in the Inventory dialog box before running EQUIP and auditing
the workstation inventory.
As discussed in Chapter 3, "Consider Placing EQUIP in the Login Script," the
EQUIP command can be placed in the system login script so that inventory
collection is performed automatically each time a user logs into the network.
LAN Inventory also provides two EQUIP batch files which are placed in the
LANINV program directory upon installation. The batch files names are listed
below:
o EQUIP1.BAT - loads server-based Btrieve (BREQUEST.EXE), executes EQUIP
and then unloads Btrieve.
o EQUIP2.BAT - loads local Btrieve (BTRIEVE.EXE), executes EQUIP and then
unloads Btrieve.
Both batch files need to be modified to reflect the correct path and drive
combination, as well as to specify the desired scan parameters.
5.3.1 Running EQUIP
Use the following procedure to execute EQUIP from a networked PC.
NOTES: a - To hide a file from inventory, the file must be hidden before
EQUIP is run on a machine which has the file. Once a file is detected by
EQUIP, the file is recorded in inventory upon running an audit. If it is
subsequently hidden, the file will be considered as "missing" after the next
audit is performed. Refer to the discussion "Modifying Qualification Records"
in Chapter 4 for instructions on hiding records in the PC/MAC Software
qualification lists.
b - Executing EQUIP on several machines that use the same boot disk might
cause the machines' inventory to be incorrectly incorporated into the
baseline inventory.
c - Executing EQUIP on a machine that uses more than one boot disk might
cause the machine's inventory to appear more than once in the baseline
inventory.
1. From the workstation on which you want to perform an inventory, change
into the directory containing the EQUIP executable and LAN Inventory
database files.
Use the DOS CD command to change directories.
2. Load the Btrieve software.
Btrieve must be properly configured on the file server from which it is
run. Btrieve must also be loaded before EQUIP is executed, and it should
be unloaded after EQUIP has run. Due to the resulting increase in
performance, it is highly recommended that you use Btrieve's server-based
program (BREQUEST.EXE).
To load Brequest, use the LAN Inventory BRQ.BAT file which consists of
the following command:
BREQUEST /D:17000
To load local Btrieve, use the LAN Inventory BTR.BAT file which consists
of the following command:
BTRIEVE /P:3072 /F:22 /T:BTR.TRN /E
3. Execute EQUIP.
For example, to scan for the hardware, software and system file
inventory, type:
EQUIP /H /S /Y <ENTER>
The inventory is collected and placed in the appropriate LAN Inventory
transaction files.
4. Unload the Btrieve software.
To unload the Btrieve software, type:
ENDBTRV <ENTER>
NOTES: a - To enable EQUIP to run under NetWare 2.1x, users need Read, Open,
Write, Search, Create, and Delete rights to the directory where LAN Inventory
files are stored. NetWare 3.x or 2.2 users need Read, Write, Filescan,
Create, and Erase rights.
b - Mark the .EXE files as "shareable" and make sure the COMSPEC is set
properly.
5.4 Collecting Stand-alone PC Inventory
The SA_EQUIP program is used to collect the inventory of stand-alone PCs.
The collected data is placed onto "collector diskettes" which are prepared
expressly for this purpose.
As with EQUIP, SA_EQUIP scans the hardware for a unique ID in the root
directory. This unique ID is used throughout the inventory as the stand-alone
machine's identifying key.
NOTE: The first time SA_EQUIP is executed at a stand-alone machine, SA_EQUIP
generates the machine's ID and stores it in a hidden file called LAIID.CFG
maintained in the root directory.
The steps for including stand-alone PC data in your LAN Inventory baseline
inventory include the following:
1. Creating a collector diskette via the LAN Inventory console
2. Running SA_EQUIP at the stand-alone PC
3. Loading the stand-alone data into LAN Inventory
4. Running an audit to include the stand-alone data in the baseline
inventory
The procedures for each step are described in this section.
5.4.1 Creating a Collector Diskette
Stand-alone PC inventory data collected by SA_EQUIP is placed onto specially
prepared diskettes containing the LAN Inventory equipment inventory system
files. All inventory for the stand-alone PCs must be placed onto a collector
diskette. If the collected inventory data requires more than one diskette,
additional collector diskettes must be used.
Use the following procedure to create a collector diskette.
1. Insert a blank formatted diskette into the diskette drive.
Approximately 300K of disk space is required for the collector diskette
files.
2. Choose Inventory from the Administration menu. From the sub-menu that is
displayed, choose the Create Collector Diskette command.
The Create Collector Diskette dialog box is displayed.
3. In the Drives list, choose the drive into which you inserted the diskette.
The selected drive letter is displayed in the Path field. Any directories
on the selected drive display in the Directories list.
4. If applicable, select the directory into which you want the equipment
inventory files placed.
The directory and sub-directory (as applicable) display in the Path field.
5. Choose the OK button to create the collector diskette.
The SA_EQUIP executable and LAN Inventory equipment inventory files are
copied to the specified drive and directory path. As the files are
copied, the copy progress is displayed.
NOTES: a - All collector diskettes must be created using the above
procedure. Collector diskettes created in any other manner (e.g., DOS
DISKCOPY) will not work correctly.
b - All collector diskettes are associated with the main/local LAN Inventory
directory site name; therefore, all stand-alone data will be associated with
the main LAN Inventory site.
5.4.2 Running SA_EQUIP
Use the following procedure to collect the equipment inventory of a
stand-alone PC. You must use a prepared collector diskette to which the
inventory data will be copied. (Refer to the above procedures for creating
collector diskettes.)
NOTES: a - Executing SA_EQUIP on several machines that use the same boot
disk might cause the machines' inventory to be incorrectly incorporated into
the baseline inventory.
b - Executing SA_EQUIP on a machine that uses more than one boot disk might
cause the machine's inventory to appear more than once in the baseline
inventory.
1. Insert the collector diskette into the diskette drive of the stand-alone
PC.
2. Execute SA_EQUIP from the floppy diskette.
Issue the SA_EQUIP command by typing:
SA_EQUIP <ENTER>
If applicable, use the DOS CD command to change into the directory
containing the SA_EQUIP executable and LAN Inventory files.
The LAN Inventory files are activated and the Workstation Information
screen is displayed.
NOTE: Upon executing SA_EQUIP, if there is insufficient space available on
the diskette, SA_EQUIP displays the message "Not enough disk space. Use a
new collector disk."
3. If desired, modify the workstation information.
The values of the following fields can be modified:
o Location - the workstation location (e.g., First Floor)
o Department - the department to which the workstation belongs
(e.g., Sales)
o User - the user name/ID assigned to the workstation
o Asset Tag - the tag or identifying number assigned to the machine
to be used as another ID for the workstation
Use the arrow keys to move the cursor into a field, and overtype the
existing entry with your new data.
4. Press the <ENTER> key to save the workstation information and continue.
The machine's hardware data is automatically collected, and then the
SA_EQUIP menu bar is displayed across the top of your screen.
Use the <left/right arrow> keys to highlight a desired menu. Press <ENTER>
to choose the highlighted menu and display its drop down list of commands. Use the <up/down arrow> keys to highlight a desired command. Press <ENTER> to choose the highlighted command.
The available SA_EQUIP menus and their commands are as follows:
o File Menu
- System Files - command used to collect the system files
that are specified in LAN Inventory's Software Options dialog
box.
- Exit - command used to save the collected data to files on
the collector diskette and exit the SA_EQUIP program.
o Hardware Menu
- Edit Hardware - command used to modify hardware details
about the PC (e.g., Model Number, Serial Number, and
Component/Asset Tag).
o Software Menu
- Scan Software - command used to inventory the PC software.
When chosen, a status bar is displayed showing the progress
of the software inventory.
5. To edit the PC hardware inventory, choose the Edit Hardware command from
the Hardware menu.
The Hardware Components screen is displayed showing the PC hardware
inventory that is compiled automatically upon executing SA_EQUIP.
Values for the Model Number, Serial Number and Component (Asset) Tag
fields can be specified for any of the listed hardware items. To do so,
use the <up/down arrow> keys to highlight the desired item and press
<ENTER>. When the Edit Hardware screen is displayed, enter or overtype
any of the three detail fields.
Press <ENTER> two times to save any changes and close the Edit Hardware
screen. Press <ESC> to exit without saving your changes.
Press <ESC> to close the Hardware Components screen.
6. To inventory the PC software, choose the Scan Software command from the
Software menu.
The software inventory is immediately performed. The inventoried
software data cannot be edited.
7. To inventory the workstation's system files, choose the System Files
command from the File menu.
All system files listed in the LAN Inventory Software Options dialog box
(accessible from the Inventory command on the Administration menu) are
collected. The system file inventory is immediately performed. The
inventoried system file data cannot be edited.
8. To save the inventory data and exit SA_EQUIP, choose the Exit command
from the File menu and choose any key to save the configuration to the
collector diskette.
The inventory data is copied onto the collector diskette. When all
inventory data is copied to the diskette, SA_EQUIP is automatically
exited. Remove the collector diskette from the PC. Repeat the procedure
for additional stand-alone PCs.
The collected data must now be loaded into LAN Inventory in order for the
inventory to be included in the next audit.
NOTES: a - If the collector diskette becomes full when saving the data, the
message "Disk out of space. Do collection again." is displayed. In this case,
exit the program and then re-execute SA_EQUIP using a new collector diskette.
You must collect the data again.
b - If one collector diskette is used to inventory multiple stand-alone PCs,
the information for each additional workstation is appended to the
appropriate file.
5.4.3 Loading Stand-alone Data into LAN Inventory
After the stand-alone PC inventory has been gathered using SA_EQUIP, the data
must be loaded into LAN Inventory in order for the next audit to include the
new inventory.
Using the LAN Inventory console, use the following procedure to load the
stand-alone PC inventory data into LAN Inventory.
1. Insert the collector diskette into the diskette drive.
2. Choose Inventory from the Administration menu. From the sub-menu, choose
the Load Equipment from Collector Diskette command.
The Load Equipment From dialog box is displayed.
3. Select the drive and directory containing the stand-alone inventory data.
4. Choose the OK button to load the stand-alone PC equipment inventory into
LAN Inventory.
A status screen is displayed the progress as the stand-alone inventory
data is copied from the diskette to the equipment inventory files
maintained in the LANINV program directory.
NOTE: To incorporate the stand-alone data into the LAN Inventory baseline
inventory, the audit parameters must be defined to include PC hardware and
software before performing the audit. (Refer to the procedures in Chapter 4,
"Setting the Audit Software Options" regarding defining audit parameters.)
5.5 Collecting Networked MAC Inventory
MACEQUIP is used to collect the inventory of Macintosh computers attached to
Novell file servers that are running the MAC VAP/NLM. MACEQUIP is also used
to collect the inventory of stand-alone MACs, as is discussed in the next
section of this chapter.
LAN Inventory provides two programs for collecting MAC inventory. Both
programs are used to collect inventory information on stand-alone and
networked Macintosh computers; however, their execution is slightly
different:
o MACEQUIP 3.1 - Performs inventory collection and provides a menu from
which you can choose to view the collected inventory and/or close the program.
o MACEQUIP AUTOMATIC 3.1 - Automatically closes the program when inventory
collection is complete.
NOTE: The following discussion uses the term "MACEQUIP" to refer to both MAC
programs. When following the procedures, use either the MACEQUIP 3.1 program
or the MACEQUIP AUTOMATIC 3.1 program.
Upon execution, MACEQUIP automatically scans the machine's hardware
components and the software applications on its hard drive. The hardware and
software data is stored in the MACEQUIP.CFG and MACSOFT.LST files,
respectively. The collected data is added to the LAN Inventory baseline
inventory by running an audit.
For each workstation on which MACEQUIP is executed, a unique ID is created
using the Ethernet address. If there is no AppleTalk, the user name is
converted to a numeric ID. The network number will be 0000 for all
Macintosh's.
NOTE: To run MACEQUIP automatically upon booting up the machine, an alias
for MACEQUIP can be placed in the System folder as a Start Up item. Refer to
section 5.5.3 "Automating MACEQUIP Execution".
This section covers the following topics:
o Installing MACEQUIP
o Automating the execution of MACEQUIP
o Running MACEQUIP
5.5.1 Installing MACEQUIP
The following must be in place before continuing with the MACEQUIP
installation:
o LAN Inventory must be properly installed according to the instructions
outlined in Chapter 2 of this manual.
o Your network file server must support the AppleTalk Filing Protocol (AFP).
o Your network must be running one of the following: NetWare 286 2.15c or 2.2
with the Macintosh VAP; NetWare 386 3.11, 3.12 or 4.01 with the Macintosh
NLM; AppleTalk 2.15c or 2.2 Macintosh VAPs.
Use the following procedure to install MACEQUIP. Because MACEQUIP is a
Macintosh file, you MUST follow these steps to properly install the program
on your network. MACEQUIP should be copied to the same directory where EQUIP
and the other LAN Inventory files reside.
1. At a Macintosh workstation, insert the floppy disk containing the
MACEQUIP file into the disk drive.
2. Choose the Chooser command from the Apple menu.
3. Select Apple Share.
4. Select the file server on which MACEQUIP should be installed.
5. Mount the selected file server.
6. Close the Chooser.
An icon is created that reflects the name and volume of the file server.
For example:
MYSERVER.SYS
7. Double click on the File Server icon.
8. Find the LAN Inventory folder.
9. Open the floppy disk icon.
10. Drag the file icon for MACEQUIP from the floppy disk to the LAN
Inventory directory on the file server.
This completes the MACEQUIP installation process. The MACEQUIP program
can now be executed from your network's Macintosh workstations.
5.5.2 Automating MACEQUIP Execution
With System 7.0 or greater, the MACEQUIP program can be a Start Up item and
run automatically when the Macintosh starts up. Use the following procedure
to set up the automatic equipment inventory.
1. From the Macintosh, choose the Chooser command from the Apple menu.
2. Select Apple Share.
3. Select the file server on which MACEQUIP resides.
4. Mount the selected file server.
5. Close the Chooser.
6. Double click on the File Server icon.
7. Open the folder where MACEQUIP is located and select MACEQUIP.
8. Select the Make Alias command from the File menu to create an alias for
MACEQUIP.
9. Drag the alias under MACEQUIP into the Start Up Items folder in the
System folder.
Every time the machine is rebooted, the volume will be mounted and
MACEQUIP will run automatically.
NOTE: If you do not have SYSTEM 7.0 or greater, every time you want to use
MACEQUIP, you must go through steps 1-7 above and then run MACEQUIP by
double clicking on the MACEQUIP icon.
5.5.3 Running MACEQUIP
Use the following procedure to manually execute MACEQUIP from a networked
Macintosh workstation.
1. From the workstation on which you want to perform an inventory, change
into the directory containing the MACEQUIP executable and LAN Inventory
database files.
2. Launch MACEQUIP.
The inventory scan is performed, and the MACEQUIP.CFG and MACSOFT.LST
files are updated to reflect the collected hardware and software
inventory, respectively.
5.6 Collecting Stand-alone MAC Inventory
MACEQUIP is also used to collect the hardware and software data from MACs
that are not connected to the network. The collected data is placed onto a
diskette and later added to the LAN Inventory transaction files to be
included in the next audit.
The steps for including stand-alone MAC data in your LAN Inventory baseline
inventory include the following:
1. Running MACEQUIP at the stand-alone MAC
2. Updating the LAN Inventory MAC transaction files to reflect the stand-
alone data
3. Running an audit to include the stand-alone data in the baseline
inventory
The procedures for each step are described in this section.
NOTES: a - The following discussion uses the term "MACEQUIP" to refer to
both MAC programs. When following the procedures, use either the MACEQUIP 3.1
program or the MACEQUIP AUTOMATIC 3.1 program.
b - If you collect and audit the inventory of a stand-alone MAC and then
later put the same MAC on the network and do a subsequent inventory and
audit, two entries for the same MAC will be listed in the Inventory dialog
box. Therefore, to avoid confusion, before running MACEQUIP and auditing the
networked MAC inventory, first delete the node's entry in the Inventory
dialog box.
5.6.1 Running MACEQUIP
Use the following procedure to collect the equipment inventory of a stand-
alone MAC.
1. Copy the MACEQUIP file onto a Macintosh formatted floppy diskette.
2. Insert the floppy diskette into the stand-alone MAC.
3. Execute MACEQUIP from the floppy diskette.
The inventory is collected.
4. Choose the Quit command from the File menu.
The inventory is complete. Repeat the procedure for additional
stand-alone MACs, and use the same floppy diskette. The LAN Inventory
MAC inventory transaction files must now be updated in order for the next audit to include the new inventory.
5.6.2 Updating MAC Transaction Files
As a result of taking inventory on a stand-alone MAC, two DOS-based files
are created on the Macintosh-formatted diskette:
o MACEQUIP.CFG - contains the hardware inventory data
o MACSOFT.LST - contains the software inventory data
To include the stand-alone MAC inventory in the next audit, copy the
MACEQUIP.CFG and MACSOFT.LST files into the LANINV program directory on the
network.
If the MACEQUIP.CFG and MACSOFT.LST files residing in the LANINV program
directory already contain data from other networked or stand-alone MACs, you
must append the new information to the existing files in the LANINV program
directory. To append the new data, first get the new data files (MACEQUIP.CFG
and MACSOFT.LST) into a DOS environment (i.e., a Novell Volume [or directory],
a DOS floppy disk, or a DOS hard disk). Then append the data by using the DOS
"TYPE" command on the new data files and redirecting the output of the TYPE
command to the existing MACEQUIP.CFG and MACSOFT.LST files that reside in the
LANINV program directory.
The TYPE command syntax is as follows:
TYPE [drive:][path..]source file >> [drive:][path..]target file
For example, if the new data files are residing on Drive B: and the LANINV
program directory is currently mapped to Drive K:, the commands to append
both MACEQUIP.CFG and MACSOFT.LST would be executed as follows:
B:\>TYPE macequip.cfg >> k:macequip.cfg
B:\>TYPE macsoft.lst >> k:macsoft.lst
In this example, Drive B: is the current drive. Refer to your DOS
documentation for more information on the TYPE command.
NOTE: To incorporate the stand-alone data into the LAN Inventory baseline
inventory, the MAC Hardware and Software options must be checked in the Audit
Parameters dialog box before performing the audit. Also, the Macintosh
Unknown Files to Identify option must be checked in the Software Options
dialog box. (Refer to the procedures in Chapter 4, "Setting the Audit
Software Options" regarding the definition of audit parameters.)
6.0 Conducting an Audit
Chapter 5 discussed the procedures for collecting inventory information. This
chapter discusses the LAN Inventory audit process. In addition to the
instructions for conducting an audit, a checklist is provided listing the
activities you should consider before running the audit.
6.1 Introduction
Conducting an audit compiles the collected equipment inventory data from your
workstations and file servers and adds it to LAN Inventory's baseline
inventory. As a result of performing an audit, the baseline inventory file is
updated and represents an accumulation of your most currently audited
inventory information. The baseline inventory file provides data for various
LAN Inventory reports, on-screen viewing, automatic notification of inventory
changes, and the LAN Inventory software distribution capability.
Audits can be run at any time. However, the audit results depend on the
settings defined via the Administration Inventory commands on the LAN
Inventory menu bar. Audit settings include: audit scope, audit parameters,
software options and notification options. These settings need to be
established before the audit is conducted. (For details on these procedures,
refer to the discussion entitled "Audit Set-up and Administration" in
Chapter 4.)
6.1.1 Access to Audit Functions
Audit configuration is performed by choosing Inventory from the
Administration menu. From the sub-menu that is displayed, choose the desired
command.
An audit is initiated by choosing Inventory from the Administration menu.
From the sub-menu which is displayed, choose the Audit command.
6.1.2 What's in this Chapter
The following chart describes the sections in this chapter:
SECTION DESCRIPTION
Auditing Checklist Lists audit options and provides
considerations for conducting an
audit.
Auditing the Collected Inventory Describes what happens during an
audit and how to initiate one.
6.2 Auditing Checklist
Conducting an audit transfers the inventory information from the
transactions database to the LAN Inventory baseline database. For example,
when a workstation inventory is performed, the collected inventory data gets
stored in a transactions database. When an audit is conducted, the data in
the transactions database gets compared to the data in the baseline database.
In general, all new inventory data gets added to the baseline; all changed
data gets updated in the baseline and any missing data gets removed from the
baseline.
Several LAN Inventory options enable you to customize the audit process to
accommodate your specific auditing needs. This section briefly lists the
items you should consider before conducting an audit.
NOTE: Many of the details on these items are provided in the discussion
entitled "Audit Set-up and Administration" in Chapter 4.
6.2.1 Time Considerations
Auditing a large network can be a time-consuming process. Eliminate wasted
time by defining the scope of the audit to include only the specific sites,
file servers and components you are interested in auditing. For example, if
you just received new transaction files from your Chicago office, it may not
be necessary to include your New York office data in the audit. Simply remove
the New York site from your scope specification and limit the audit scope to
include only Chicago. In addition to specific site audits, you can conduct
exclusive audits for software, hardware, file servers and/or workstations.
To define the Scope of Audit, the Software Options, and the Audit Parameters,
choose the appropriate command from the Administration/Inventory sub-menu.
(Choose the Define Sites command from the Inventory sub-menu to verify that
each site is mapped to the correct drive and directory!)
6.2.2 What to Audit
An audit can include networked PC data, file server data, and even stand-alone
PC and Macintosh inventory data. "Inventory data" can be further defined to
include hardware and/or software. LAN Inventory provides easy-to-use and
intuitive programs to collect the inventory on networked and stand-alone
workstations.
To define the information to be audited, choose the Audit Parameters command
from the Administration/Inventory sub-menu. (To include stand-alone data in
the audit, make sure that the PC/MAC data has been incorporated into the LAN
Inventory transaction files. Refer to the instructions in Chapter 5.)
6.2.3 Scheduling
LAN Inventory lets you schedule audits. You can specify the specific hour,
day, week, or month that audits be conducted. You may want an audit to be
performed each night at midnight, or you may want the audit to be performed
on the fifteenth day of each month. LAN Inventory takes care of logging in to
the appropriate servers at the correct times to avoid any potential security
violations. In addition, the results of an audit are always stored in the
audit log for later review.
To define an audit schedule, choose the Audit Parameters command from the
Administration/Inventory sub-menu. To define notification settings, choose
the Alerting Options command from the Administration/Inventory sub-menu.
6.2.4 Multiple Sites
LAN Inventory allows you to manage inventory for multiple sites. If you are
consolidating information from multiple sites, have you created directories
for each site and copied the inventory transaction database files into those
directories from the respective sites?
Choose the Define Sites command from the Administration/Inventory sub-menu
to define new sites. Choose the Scope of Audit command from the
Administration/Inventory sub-menu to determine which sites should be included
in the audit. Refer to "Establishing a Separate Transaction Directory" for
procedures on defining a transaction directory.
6.2.5 Alerting Options
Do you want to be notified about the outcome of the audit? LAN Inventory's
alerting parameters let you define the conditions under which you want to be
notified, as well as the method of notification. For example, you might want
to be notified of all hardware changes that have been made to the file
servers since the last audit. Further, you might want these results to be
sent to you via cc:Mail.
To define the audit notification settings, choose the Alerting tool bar
button to display the Alerting Options dialog box.
6.3 Auditing the Collected Inventory
Conducting a LAN Inventory audit creates or updates the baseline by
incorporating the collected inventory data. The baseline inventory is created
the first time an audit is performed. For all subsequent audits, the
collected inventory is compared against the existing baseline, and the
existing baseline is updated appropriately.
The collected inventory transactions represent any of the following:
o File server hardware and software
o PC workstation hardware and software (including stand-alone PCs)
o MAC workstation hardware and software (including stand-alone MACs)
Before the audit process starts, LAN Inventory considers the established
parameters that have been defined using the audit Administration options:
o Whether the audit should occur automatically or upon request. If audits
are defined to occur automatically, LAN Inventory also considers the
specified audit interval time (e.g., daily - at 9 am; weekly - on Friday at
5 pm).
o Sites to be included in the audit.
o File servers to be included in the audit.
o System and application software to be included in the audit.
o Workstation and component types to be included in the audit
(e.g., hardware and software transactions from PCs and file servers; only
hardware transactions from MACs).
NOTE: Audit parameters can be changed at any time. Refer to "Audit Set-up and
Administration" in Chapter 4 for details on defining audit parameters.
6.3.1 Running an Audit
The process of running an audit uses the recently collected equipment
inventory transaction information to update each existing individual
equipment inventory record. In turn, the baseline inventory is updated. As a
result of comparing the new current transactions to the baseline, audit
statistics are generated. Reported changes in inventory include components,
nodes or software that have been added, changed, or removed since the last
audit. Audit results can be reviewed on screen or via hard copy report.
(Refer to Chapter 7 for detailed information on "Reviewing Audit Results.")
Audits can be initiated at any time, regardless of whether automatic audits
(e.g., daily, weekly) have been scheduled in the audit parameters.
Use the following procedure to initiate a LAN Inventory audit and update the
baseline inventory with current equipment inventory data.
NOTES: a - Before you initiate the audit, make sure that all audit parameters
are defined correctly and any stand-alone inventory data has been loaded into
LAN Inventory.
b - Use the Btrieve NLM to improve the performance of data collection,
auditing and reporting by as much as 500%. Refer to Appendix C for
instructions on configuring BREQUEST and the Btrieve NLM.
1. Choose Inventory from the Administration menu. From the sub-menu that is
displayed, choose the Audit command.
A dialog box is displayed with a warning message and the prompt "Do You
Want To Proceed?"
2. Choose the OK button to proceed with the audit.
An Audit in Progress dialog box displays a status bar showing the
progress of the audit. When the audit is complete, the baseline is
updated to reflect the new inventory data.
7.0 Reviewing Audit Results
Chapter 6 discussed the procedures for conducting an audit. This chapter
discusses the procedures for viewing audit results.
7.1 Introduction
When an audit has been completed, the audit results are available via the
Audit Log dialog box. The Audit Log dialog box provides both summary and
detail information regarding the changes made to the baseline inventory as a
result of the audit. The software applications that were detected upon
inventory collection but not recorded in the inventory database are listed
and reported in the Unidentified Software dialog box.
7.1.1 Access to Audit Results
Audit results can be reviewed and/or managed by choosing Inventory from the
Administration menu. From the sub-menu that is displayed, choose the View
Audit Log or Unidentified PC/Fileserver or Macintosh Software commands.
7.1.2 What's in this Chapter
The following chart describes the sections in this chapter:
SECTION DESCRIPTION
Viewing the Audit Log Provides procedures for accessing and viewing
the Audit Log; lists the information
available from the Audit Log.
Managing Unidentified Software Provides procedures for moving information
from the Unidentified Software list to the
qualification lists.
7.2 Viewing the Audit Log
The Audit Log provides both summary and detail information about the changes
that were made to the baseline inventory as a result of an audit. The
information available from the Audit Log includes:
o Summarized Changes:
- the date and time of the audit
- the name of the person who initiated the audit
- the number of changes made to inventory categories (e.g., 5 nodes added;
1 system file updated)
o Detailed Changes:
- an itemized list of components, nodes and system files that have changed
since the last audit (e.g., at the site named SALES, a new node JOHN was
found)
7.2.1 Viewing the Audit Log
Audit summary and detail information is maintained by LAN Inventory for as
long as necessary. For example, your organization might require that the
audit results be accessible on-line for a year. In this case, each audit
performed within the last year is listed in the Audit Log dialog box, and
the results of each audit can be viewed.
The only modification that can be made to the Audit Log is the deletion of
an audit entry. Continuing with the above example, all audits that occurred
more than a year ago would need to be deleted from the Audit Log.
Use the following procedure to view and manage on-line audit results.
1. Choose Inventory from the Administration menu. From the sub-menu that is
displayed, choose the View Audit Log command.
The Audit Log dialog box is displayed. The dialog box lists all the
audits that have been performed. The Date, Time, Performed By, and
Status information is listed for each audit.
2. To view the summarized results of an audit, select an audit in the Audit
Log dialog box and choose the Results button.
The Audit Results dialog box is displayed. This dialog box summarizes the
changes made to inventory categories as a result of the audit.
NOTE: This dialog box (shown below) can also be displayed by double clicking
on an audit in the Audit Log dialog box.
To view detailed information about a category that has an entry greater
than zero (0), double click on the category name. For example, if two
system files are added as a result of the audit, you can double click on
the System Files Added category to view the names of the added system
files.
Choose the Close button to close the Audit Details dialog box. Choose the
Close button to close the Audit Results dialog box.
3. To view the audit details, select an audit from the Audit Log dialog box
and choose the Details button.
An Audit Details dialog box is displayed which contains a itemized list
of audited components, nodes, and system files.
Use the scroll buttons and scroll bars to view all the information.
Choose the Close button to close the Audit Details dialog box.
NOTE: Procedures for viewing the detailed dialog box shown above are also
provided in Step #2; however, the dialog box accessed in Step #2 only shows
the details of a selected component. By choosing the Details button in the
Audit Log dialog box, all component changes for an audit are displayed in the
audit log details dialog box.
4. To remove an audit entry from the Audit Log dialog box list, highlight an
audit and choose the Delete button.
You are prompted to confirm the deletion. Choose the Yes button to
continue and remove the selected audit from the list.
5. To print the results of an audit entry in the Audit Log dialog box list,
highlight an audit and choose the Print button.
The details of the selected audit are sent to the printer currently
defined in your print set-up.
6. Choose the Close button to exit the Audit Log dialog box.
7.3 Managing Unidentified Software
"Unidentified software" is the group of software files that were detected
during an inventory but were not listed in the PC or MAC Software
qualification lists. As a result, LAN Inventory is not able to categorize
and identify the software during the audit. For example, assume that an
inventory performed on PC workstation X results in detecting the file named
ABC.EXE. If file ABC.EXE is not listed in the PC Software database when an
audit is performed, then the file is labeled as "unidentified" and added to
the Unidentified Software list.
NOTE: Unidentified software is only collected if the "Unknown Files to
Identify on Local Site" options for Fileserver, Workstation and/or Macintosh
are checked in the Software Options dialog box. If none of these options are
checked, then only the applications listed in the PC or MAC Software Lists
are included in the inventory and audit. Refer to the instructions "Setting
the Audit Software Options" in Chapter 4.
In addition to viewing the list of unidentified software, you can "identify"
the files by transferring them to their appropriate database. In the above
example, file ABC.EXE can be transferred to the PC Software qualification
list. By doing so, the next time an audit is performed or inventory is
collected, the file will no longer be tagged as "unidentified."
This section includes the following discussions:
o Viewing and managing the Unidentified Software list
o Transferring files from the Unidentified Software list individually and
as a group of applications
o Illustration of the "application group" concept
7.3.1 Viewing and Managing Unidentified Software
Use the following procedure to view, sort, print and delete items from the
list of unidentified software.
1. Choose Inventory from the Administration menu. From the sub-menu that is
displayed, choose either the Unidentified PC/Fileserver Software command
or the Unidentified Macintosh Software command.
The last command you select depends on the workstation type for which you
want to view unidentified software. The Unidentified Software dialog box
is displayed. Use the line up/line down and page up/page down scroll
buttons to scroll through the list of file names.
The following information is provided:
o File Path
o File Name (or File Creator for Macintosh software)
o File Size
NOTE: The dialog boxes displayed for both PC/Fileserver and Macintosh
information are very similar. A File Name field is listed for PC
applications; whereas, a File Creator field is listed for Macintosh
applications.
2. To sort the Unidentified Software list, choose the Sort button.
The Sort Options dialog box is displayed allowing you to select the sort
method. The items in the Unidentified Software list can be sorted by
either File Path or File Name/File Creator.
Select the appropriate sort method, and choose the OK button. The list is
sorted to reflect the selected method.
3. To print the Unidentified Software list, choose the Print button.
The entire list of Unidentified Software is sent to the printer as
defined by your current print parameters.
4. To delete an item from the Unidentified Software list, highlight the item
name and choose the Delete button.
The highlighted file name is removed from the list. Multiple files can be
selected and simultaneously deleted from the list. To select more than
one file name, simply click on each desired file name.
5. To deselect any highlighted files, choose the Unmark button.
The highlight is removed from all files that were previously selected.
6. To close the Unidentified Software list, choose the Close button.
All changes made to the Unidentified Software list are saved.
7.3.2 Transferring Unidentified Software
All files listed as unidentified software can be transferred to their
appropriate database (i.e., PC or MAC Software list) for inclusion in
subsequent audits. Once transferred, the file(s) are removed from the
Unidentified Software list and added to the target database.
Many applications require more than one executable file to run the software.
To accommodate this requirement and reduce the number of files listed in the
software databases, LAN Inventory lets you mark a particular file as the key
or identifying component of a software product. Therefore, files can be
transferred from the Unidentified Software list individually or in groups.
Use the following procedure to transfer unidentified software.
1. Choose Inventory from the Administration menu. From the sub-menu that is
displayed, choose either the Unidentified PC/Fileserver Software command
or the Unidentified Macintosh Software command.
The last command you select depends on the workstation type for which you
want to view unidentified software. The Unidentified Software dialog box
is displayed.
The items in the Unidentified Software list can be sorted by either file
path/file creator or file name. To change the method by which the items
are sorted, choose the Sort button. The Sort Options dialog box is
displayed. Select the appropriate sort method, and choose the OK button.
The list is sorted to reflect the selected method.
2. Select an individual file name or a group of files to be transferred.
Multiple files can be selected by clicking on more than one file name.
Choose the line up/line down and page up/page down scroll buttons to
scroll through the list of file names.
3. To transfer a single file, choose the Transfer Individually button.
The Transfer Unidentified Software dialog box is displayed. Depending on
the type of unidentified software being viewed (i.e., either PC or MAC),
the corresponding Software list is displayed on the bottom half of the
dialog box for reference purposes.
a - Specify details of the file to be transferred. The File Name and
File Size fields are automatically filled in; however, the information
can be edited. The following information must be supplied:
o Product Name - enter the name which identifies the software product
to which the file belongs.
NOTE: If you want to add the single unidentified file to a group of
files already defined in the PC or MAC Software List, then add a colon
to the Product Name followed by the file name. For example, if you want
to add the ABC.EXE unidentified file to the ABC product group, then
enter 'ABC:ABC.EXE' in the Product Name field. By doing this, ABC.EXE
will be listed with all other ABC product files in the software list.
o Version Number - enter the version number of the software product
to which the file belongs.
o Category - from the drop down list associated with this field,
select the category of the software product to which the file belongs.
o Manufacturer - from the drop-down list associated with this
field, select the manufacturer of the software product to which the
file belongs. (If you enter a new manufacturer name, the name is
added to the Manufacturers qualification list.)
o Hide in Inventory - place a checkmark in this field to hide the
file from inventory display. (Hidden files are listed in the
qualification list, but cannot be viewed in an inventory list.)
b - Choose the Transfer button.
The selected file is transferred to the target database.
4. To transfer a group of files, choose the Transfer As Group button.
The Transfer Unidentified Software as a Group of Applications dialog box
is displayed.
a - Specify details of the group to be transferred. The following
information must be supplied:
o Group Base Name - enter the name which identifies the software
product to which the group of files belong.
o Group Version - enter the version number of the software product
to which the group of files belong.
o Group Manufacturer - from the drop-down list associated with this
field, select the manufacturer of the software product to which the
group of files belong. (If you enter a new manufacturer name, the
name is added to the Manufacturers qualification list.)
o Category - from the drop-down list associated with this field,
select the software category in which the group of files belong
(e.g., word processing, games). If you enter a new Category name, the
name is added to the Software Categories qualification list.
o Inventory Options - select one inventory option:
- Hide in Inventory - hide the entire set of files from
inventory
- Inventory All Members - identify all files as separate
components to be inventoried
- Inventory Identifier Only - inventory only the package
identifier
o Group Identifier - the drop-down list associated with this field
lists the file names selected for transfer. Select one file that
should be used to identify the group of files.
NOTE: A group of unidentified files cannot be added to another group of
files already defined in the PC or MAC Software List. Files can only be
added to groups individually.
b - Choose the OK button to begin the group transfer.
The selected files are transferred to the target database.
5. When all files have been transferred, choose the Close button in the
Unidentified Software list dialog box.
NOTE: To include all transferred PC files in your inventory, you must
subsequently run EQUIP on all workstations and then perform an audit. To
include all transferred MAC files in your inventory, you must subsequently
perform an audit.
7.3.3 Illustrating an Application Group
As discussed immediately above, multiple files can be transferred from the
Unidentified Software list in groups. Transferring a group of files
associates the entire group with a specific software product. For example,
the unidentified WordPerfect files SPELL.EXE, WP.EXE, and WPINFO.EXE can be
transferred under the group name "WordPerfect." In addition to a group name,
the transferred files are also assigned to a specific version of the product,
as well as the product's manufacturer name. For example:
o Group Base Name: WordPerfect
o Group Version: 5.10
o Group Manufacturer: WordPerfect Corp.
After being transferred, the WordPerfect files would be listed as follows in
the PC Software List:
o WordPerfect - SPELL.EXE 5.10
o WordPerfect - WP.EXE 5.10
o WordPerfect - WPINFO.EXE 5.10
8.0 Maintaining the Baseline Inventory
Chapter 7 discussed the procedures for reviewing audit results. This chapter
describes how to review and make changes to the equipment information
maintained in LAN Inventory's baseline inventory file.
8.1 Introduction
The baseline inventory is the equipment inventory database that is updated
each time an audit is performed. LAN Inventory collection programs (EQUIP,
SA_EQUIP, MACEQUIP) place the collected hardware and software data in
"transaction files." The audit process compiles the transaction files and
compares the most recently collected equipment inventory information against
the current baseline. As a result, a new updated baseline inventory database
is created.
The baseline is made up of equipment inventory records which contain data
specific to each type of equipment (e.g., file server, workstation). The
equipment inventory records maintain data such as manufacturer, network
address, memory, software applications, and storage. These records provide a
basis for LAN Inventory reports and on-screen viewing. As a result, you might
need to verify and update the equipment inventory information, as well as add
supporting information to the component data.
8.1.1 Access to Equipment Database Information
Inventory equipment database information is accessible by choosing the
Inventory tool bar button or by choosing the Inventory command from the
Tools menu.
8.1.2 What's in this Chapter
The following chart describes the sections in this chapter:
SECTION DESCRIPTION
Maintaining Equipment Inventory Data Provides procedures for viewing and
managing the equipment inventory.
Maintaining Component Information Provides procedures for viewing and
managing the detailed component data.
8.2 Maintaining Equipment Inventory Data
Equipment inventory records for each workstation, file server and stand-alone
machine are created or updated automatically during an audit to reflect the
most current hardware and software inventory information.
In addition to simply viewing the inventory data, record maintenance is
sometimes necessary. For example, the floppy disk information collected by
the EQUIP program is determined by the machine's CMOS set-up. If the CMOS
set-up is incorrect, then the collected information regarding the machine's
floppy disk(s) will not be accurate. To avoid having to run another
inventory (after correcting the CMOS set-up), equipment inventory data can
be corrected on-line.
Two primary windows are associated with equipment inventory records:
o Inventory Window - a summary screen listing each record (i.e., node) in
the Equipment Inventory database.
o Site: Detail Equipment Inventory Record - displays equipment-specific
information for a selected node. Information includes computer data, mass
storage, keyboard and port data, network adapter information and memory.
Sub-dialog boxes provide software details, system files or miscellaneous
equipment information for the selected record.
8.2.1 Viewing Equipment Inventory Data
Use the following procedure to display the Inventory dialog box which
provides a summary of each record in the Equipment Inventory database.
1. Choose the Inventory tool bar button, or choose the Inventory command
from the Tools menu.
The Inventory dialog box is displayed. This is a summary dialog box that
is displayed a list of the workstations and file servers for each audited
site.
If necessary, choose the line up/line down and page up/page down scroll
buttons to scroll through the list of records.
2. To change the sort method of the records, choose the Sort button.
The records are initially listed in alphabetical Site order; however, you
have the option of resorting the records.
Upon choosing the Sort button, the View Inventory Sorting Options dialog
box is displayed. The Current Sort Order is displayed at the top of this
dialog box. Up to two fields can be selected to define the order in which
you want the records sorted. Choose the OK button to re-sort the inventory
records according to the selected method.
3. To narrow the list of records displayed, choose the Filter button.
The Filter Options dialog box is displayed. Select one or more filter
criteria fields, and choose the OK button. Only the inventory records
that match the filter criteria will display in the Inventory dialog box.
4. To view the details of a record, highlight the desired record and choose
the Edit button.
You can also double click on the record to view the record details. The
detail dialog box is displayed. The title bar of the dialog box indicates
the last time the record's inventory data was updated. The fields in the
detail dialog box differ depending on the record type (e.g., file server,
MAC, PC workstation, and spare part). The fields displayed for each
record type are itemized in Appendix A of this manual.
Choose the horizontal and vertical scroll buttons in any of fields to
scroll through the information.
5. To close the Inventory dialog box, choose the OK button.
8.2.2 Managing Equipment Inventory Records
From the Inventory dialog box, new equipment inventory records can be added,
existing records can be removed, and/or a record's detail information can be
modified. (The Inventory dialog box is displayed by choosing the Inventory
tool bar button or by choosing the Inventory command from the Tools menu.)
Use the following procedure for managing records in the Equipment Inventory
database.
1. To add a new equipment inventory record to the Inventory dialog box,
choose the Add button.
The Add New Equipment dialog box is displayed allowing you to select
field values from drop-down lists to define a new record to be included
in future audits. (The Asset Tag field does not have an associated drop-
down list and must be manually entered.)
Specify the field values for the new record, and choose the OK button.
The new record is saved and added to the Inventory list. (Inventory data
for the new record is automatically added by LAN Inventory after you
perform an inventory on themachine and then run an audit.)
2. To remove an equipment inventory record from the Inventory dialog box,
highlight the desired record and choose the Delete button.
A dialog box is displayed with the prompt "Do you really want to delete
this item?" Choose the Yes button to delete the record, or choose No to
exit without removing the record.
3. To edit the details of an equipment inventory record, highlight the
desired record and choose the Edit button.
You can also double click on the record in the Inventory dialog box to
view the record details. The detail dialog box is displayed.
The following actions can be performed in the detail dialog box:
a - To cycle through the detailed equipment inventory records listed
in the Inventory dialog box, choose the Previous and Next buttons. For
example, choosing the Next button will display the detailed inventory
for the next record/node listed in the Inventory dialog box.
b - To review the status of equipment inventories taken on the record
shown in the detail dialog box, choose the Notes button. The Notes
dialog box is displayed showing the last date on which an audit was
performed which included this workstation, file server or MAC. Type
any additional notes, and choose the OK button to return to the
detail dialog box.
c - To print the displayed equipment inventory record, choose the
Print button. A pop-up dialog box displays a "printing" message
while the record is being printed.
d - To review the contents of the system files applicable to the
record shown in the detail dialog box, choose the System Files button.
(This button is not available for file servers and MACs.) The System
Files Available list is displayed. To review the contents of a system
file, highlight the desired file and choose the View button. Note that
editing cannot be performed from this dialog box. Choose the Close
button two times to return to the detail dialog box.
e - To add a component to the record shown in the detail dialog box,
choose the Add button. The Components dialog box is displayed. To
display specific component information, select a component Category
and Class from the drop down lists in the lower section of the
Components dialog box. The data which matches the selected Category
and Class is displayed in the Components dialog box. To add a
component to the record shown in the detail dialog box, highlight an
item and choose the Select button.
To add new component data to the LAN Inventory database, choose the
Add button. The Add Component dialog box is displayed. Enter the
information for the new component. All entries except for Product
Name can be selected from drop-down lists. Choose the OK button to
add the new component information to the Components dialog box.
Choose Close to return to the detail dialog box.
f - To modify miscellaneous equipment related to the record shown in
the detail dialog box, choose the Misc Equipment button. The
Miscellaneous Equipment dialog box is displayed listing any items
in this category. Highlight an item and choose the Edit button to
modify the item, or choose Delete to remove the item. Choose the
Close button to save any changes and to return to the detail dialog
box.
g - To review the software residing on the workstation, file server
or MAC displayed in the detail dialog box, choose the Software
Applications button. The Software Applications dialog box is
displayed the application name, version, file name and path of each
software application associated with this record. Choose the Close
button to close the Software Applications dialog box.
h - To modify a field in the detail dialog box, double click on the
field to be modified. The Equipment Component dialog box is displayed.
For detailed information on reviewing, adding, or modifying purchasing
and/or maintenance information for a detail field, refer to the next
section in this chapter entitled "Maintaining Component Information."
4. To exit the detail dialog box and save any changes made to the equipment
inventory record details, choose the OK button.
The Inventory (summary) dialog box is displayed.
8.3 Maintaining Component Information
When an audit is performed, LAN Inventory compares the new inventory data
against the data maintained in its databases and the existing equipment
inventory records. Performing an audit updates the data in the equipment
inventory records.
You can enhance the equipment inventory record by adding and maintaining
data regarding the purchase and maintenance of individual components
associated with your PC workstations, file servers, and MACs.
8.3.1 Managing Component Information
Use the following procedure to review, add, or modify purchasing and/or
maintenance information for a detail field.
1. Choose the Inventory tool bar button, or choose the Inventory command
from the Tools menu.
The Inventory dialog box is displayed. This summary dialog box displays
the workstations and file servers for all audited sites.
2. Highlight the record for which you want to manage component data, and
choose the Edit button.
You can also double click on the record in the Inventory dialog box to
view the record details. The detail dialog box is displayed.
3. To add, edit or delete purchasing and/or maintenance information for a
hardware component associated with this record, double click on the
field which represents the component.
For example, double click on the "Clk Freq" entry in the Computer
Information section of the detail dialog box. The Equipment Component
dialog box is displayed. This dialog box lists the purchasing and
maintenance information for the selected hardware component.
The following actions can be performed from within the Equipment
Component dialog box:
a - To add or edit purchasing or maintenance information for the
hardware, type new values in the corresponding fields, or select
values from the drop-down lists. Choose the OK button to save the
new field values.
b - To delete the hardware component, choose the Delete button. A
dialog box is displayed with the message "Do you really want to
delete this item?" Choose the Yes button to remove the component
from the equipment inventory record.
4. To review the software application associated with this record, choose
the Software Applications button in the detail dialog box.
The Software Applications dialog box is displayed listing all software
files associated with this record.
To add or edit purchasing and/or maintenance information for a
software application associated with this record, double click on the
application name. The Equipment Component dialog box is displayed
listing the purchasing and maintenance information for the selected
software file. Enter new values in the corresponding fields, or
select values from the drop-down lists. Choose the OK button to save
the new field values.
From within the Equipment Component dialog box, to review the path,
version or size of the displayed software file, choose the Additional
Application Info button. The Additional Software Information dialog
box displays the Path, Version, and Size of the selected file. Choose
the OK button to return to the Equipment Component dialog box.
5. Choose the OK button to close the Equipment Component dialog box and save
the editing changes.
9.0 Inventory Reports
Chapter 8 explained how to maintain the LAN Inventory equipment database.
This chapter discusses LAN Inventory reporting module and presents
instructions for generating reports.
NOTE: Because BrightWorks' software distribution capabilities are provided
with the inventory capabilities, the procedures in this chapter also pertain
to generating distribution reports.
9.1 Introduction
LAN Inventory is shipped with several pre-defined inventory and distribution
reports called "style sheets." These style sheets represent frequently
requested reports which can also be customized to accommodate a specific need.
By performing a "query," the information included in a report can be filtered
according to virtually any combination of values maintained in the LAN
Inventory database. For example, a report based on the Applications by Name
style sheet will list all software applications in the LAN Inventory database.
The reported software data can also be filtered to include only the Microsoft
Word software running on 386 machines with CPU speeds greater than 16 MHz.
Queries can be saved and attached to any number of style sheets. As discussed
in the BrightWorks manual, the same queries apply to the scopes used within
LAN Inventory's software distribution feature.
In addition to customizing the pre-defined style sheets, reports that are
created using the Crystal Reports software can be added into the LAN
Inventory system. These added reports can be customized, renamed and/or
deleted.
NOTE: The Crystal Reports software is installed using the LAN Inventory
install utility. Refer to the installation instructions in Chapter 2 of this
manual. When installed, a Crystal Reports program icon is added to the MCAFEE
Program Manager group. Procedures for using Crystal Reports are presented in
Appendices F-H of this manual.
IMPORTANT: Because the reporting function for inventory and distribution
reports is the same, instructions for both are provided in this chapter. If
you purchased LAN Inventory, the distribution reports described in this
chapter are not included with your product. If you purchased BrightWorks, you
get both the inventory and distribution reports.
9.1.1 Access to LAN Inventory Reports
By choosing the Inventory and Distribution command from the Report menu, the
Choose Report dialog box is displayed listing the LAN Inventory reports (it
will also list distribution reports if you purchased BrightWorks).
NOTE: Choosing the Reports tool bar button will display the Choose Report
dialog box that was last selected from the Reports menu (e.g., either the
inventory/distribution reports or the metering/monitoring/security reports).
9.1.2 What's in this Chapter
The following chart describes the sections in this chapter:
SECTION DESCRIPTION
Using Pre-defined Report Style Sheets Presents the procedures for
generating pre-defined reports and
selecting an output option; describes
the contents of each pre-defined
report.
Using Queries to Customize Reports Presents the procedures for creating
queries to filter report data,
applying queries to reports and
saving the report under a new name.
Adding Reports Presents the procedures for adding
and managing new reports.
9.2 Using Pre-defined Report Style Sheets
The pre-defined inventory style sheets supplied with LAN Inventory represent
frequently requested inventory reports. A pre-defined report can be generated
"as is," or it can be customized by applying queries which further define the
data to be included in the report.
This section lists the procedures for generating a report using the
pre-defined style sheets. (The procedures for creating, applying and
managing queries are discussed in the next section of this chapter.)
NOTE: The pre-defined LAN Inventory report style sheets cannot be deleted.
9.2.1 Printing Pre-defined Reports
Use the following procedure to generate a pre-defined report without applying
any queries.
1. Choose the Inventory and Distribution command from the Reports menu.
The Choose Report dialog box is displayed listing the reports pertaining
to inventory and distribution.
2. From the list of Report Names, select the report you want to generate.
Your selection is highlighted. The default selection is the first report
name in the list.
3. Select the report's Destination.
The following destinations are available:
o Printer - Sends the report to the printer and uses the currently
defined Printer Set-up parameters. (Refer to the section entitled
"Printer Set-up and Administration" in Chapter 3 for instructions on
administering your print set-up.)
o Screen - Sends the report to a dialog box on your screen. Use the
scroll bars to scroll through the report contents. Double click on
the control menu button to close the dialog box when you are finished.
o File - Sends the report to a file. When this option is selected,
the File Format options become available. The format options are:
- Text - output file is saved in ASCII format.
- Comma Delimited - output file is saved in a comma delimited
format in which commas are used to separate the fields.
4. Choose the OK button to initiate the creation of the report.
A Printing dialog box is displayed indicating the status of the report
generation.
NOTES: a - If the report is being sent to a file, you are prompted to enter a
file name. Enter the file name and destination, and choose the OK button. The
Printing dialog box is displayed even if the report is being sent to a file.
b - If the report is sent to the screen, the resulting report is displayed
in a Crystal Reports dialog box. The buttons at the top of the dialog box
from left to right can be chosen for page scroll to first page, previous page,
next page, last page, stop scroll, page magnification and route report to
printer. For detailed instructions on using the Crystal Reports software,
refer to Appendices F-H.
9.2.2 A List of Pre-defined Inventory Reports
The pre-defined inventory reports supplied with LAN Inventory (and
BrightWorks) are listed below. The report name, file name and definition are
provided.
o Applications by Group (BYGROUP.RPT) - categorized by Site and then User;
this report lists the Name, Type, Version and Publisher of each application.
o Applications by Name (BYNAME.RPT) - categorized by Site and then
Application Name; this report lists the Type, Version, Publisher and User of
each application.
o Applications by Type (BYTYPE.RPT) - categorized by Site and then
Application Type; this report lists the Name, Type, Version and Publisher of
each application.
o Change in Installed Applications (CHINSAPP.RPT) - categorized by Site and
then User Name; this report lists the names and status of the applications
that have changed since the last audit.
o Change in Installed Fileserver Hardware (CHISHWSV.RPT) - categorized by
Server Name; this report lists the file server hardware and the changes that
have occurred since the last audit.
o Change in Installed Macintosh Hardware (CHISHWMC.RPT) - categorized by
Macintosh User Name; this report lists the Macintosh hardware and the changes
that have occurred since the last audit.
o Change in Installed Workstation Hardware (CHISHWPC.RPT) - categorized by
PC User Name; this report lists the PC hardware and the changes that have
occurred since the last audit.
o Change in System Files (SYSFCHG.RPT) - categorized by Site and then by
User Name; this report lists the system file names and the modifications that
have occurred since the last audit (e.g., new, missing).
o Completed Software Distribution Packages (COPLETE.RPT) - categorized by
Site and then by Package Name; this report lists the receiving User Name,
Node Address, Distribution Date and Time for each completed package.
o Equipment List (EQIPLIST.RPT) - categorized by Site and then by User Name;
this report lists the hardware and provides a description of each item.
o Fileserver Equipment (FSVER.RPT) - categorized by Server Name; this report
lists the identifying information and provides a description of each hardware
component.
o Incomplete Software Distribution Packages INCOMPLT.RPT) - categorized by
Site and then by Package Name; this report lists the receiving User Name,
Node Address, Distribution Date, Time and Status for each incomplete package.
o Installed Fileserver Hardware (INSTHWS.RPT) - categorized by Site and then
Server Name; this report provides a description of each hardware component.
o Installed Macintosh Hardware (INSTHWM.RPT) - categorized by Site and then
Macintosh User Name; this report provides a description of each hardware
component.
o Installed Workstation Hardware (INSTHWP.RPT) - categorized by Site and
then PC User Name; this report provides a description of each hardware
component.
o Macintosh Equipment (MAC_ST.RPT) - categorized by Macintosh User Name;
this report lists the identifying information and provides a description of
each hardware component.
o Workstation Report (WSREPOT.RPT) - categorized by PC User Name; this
report lists the identifying information and provides a description of each
hardware component.
9.3 Using Queries to Customize Reports
Queries can be defined and applied against a report to act as a filter for
the data gathered from the LAN Inventory database. Queries can be saved and
applied to any number of reports. The same queries can also be used when
creating scopes for BrightWorks' software distribution, as discussed in the
BrightWorks manual.
This section lists the procedures for:
o Applying a query to a report
o Customizing report style sheets
o Removing a query from a report
o Creating a new query
o Editing a query
o Deleting a query
9.3.1 Applying a Query to a Report
Applying a query against report data can be used to generate a custom report.
Use the following procedure to apply an existing query to a report.
1. Choose the Inventory and Distribution command from the Reports menu.
The Choose Report dialog box is displayed listing the reports pertaining
to inventory and distribution.
2. From the list of Report Names, select the report to which you want to
apply a query.
Your selection is highlighted, and the Current Query field displays the
name of the query currently applied to the selected report.
NOTE: The <None> entry in the Current Query field indicates that no query is
currently applied to the report.
3. Choose the Select button to the right of the Current Query field.
The Select Query dialog box is displayed listing all queries.
4. Select the query name from the Available Queries list, and choose the
Apply button.
To select a query name, point to the query and click the left mouse
button. Upon choosing the Apply button, the Select Query dialog box
closes and the selected query name is placed into the Current Query
field of the Choose Report dialog box. The LAN Inventory database records
are sorted, and only the records that match the query's specified filter
criteria will be included when the report is generated.
NOTE: Before applying a query, make sure that the correct report name is
highlighted in the Choose Report dialog box.
9.3.2 Customizing Report Style Sheets
Customized LAN Inventory and distribution reports can be created by
assigning unique names to the pre-defined reports and then applying a query
to each customized report.
NOTE: For instructions on using the Crystal Reports software to create new
inventory and distribution reports, refer to Appendices F-H.
Use the following procedure to customize a pre-defined style sheet.
1. From the list of Report Names in the Choose Report dialog box, select
the report on which you want to base the new report.
Select a report that consists of fields and data which are similar to
the report to be created. For example, you might select the Workstation
Equipment report to create a new report which lists the 386 workstation
nodes.
2. Choose the New button in the Choose Report dialog box.
The New Report dialog box is displayed.
3. Enter a new unique name in the Report Name field.
When the New Report dialog box first displays, the name of the selected
report is in the Report Name field. Delete the existing name, and enter
the new report name.
4. Select a file name to be associated with the new report.
The File Name field has an associated drop-down list of file names
residing in the LANINV (or BWORKS) program directory. Because the new
report is to be based on the report selected in the Choose Report dialog
box, click on the file name of the selected report.
For example, if the new report is to be based on the pre-defined
Applications by Group report, then select the file name BYGROUP.RPT.
5. Choose the OK button to save the new report information.
The New Report dialog box closes, and the new report name is added to the
Choose Report dialog box.
To customize the data to be included in the new report, use the procedure
in the section entitled "Applying a Query to a Report."
9.3.3 Removing a Query from a Report
Use the following procedure to remove a query from a report.
1. From the list of Report Names in the Choose Report dialog box, select
the report for which you want to remove the query.
Your selection is highlighted, and the Current Query field displays the
name of the query currently applied to the selected report.
2. Choose the Select button to the right of the Current Query field.
The Select Query dialog box is displayed.
3. Select the <None> query name, and choose the Apply button.
The Select Query dialog box closes. The filter criteria is removed and
all records that apply to the report will be included when the report is
generated.
9.3.4 Creating a New Query
Use the following procedure to create a new query. The procedure assumes
that you have already chosen the Select button in the Choose Report dialog
box to display the Select Query dialog box.
NOTE: All queries are also available from the LAN Inventory software
distribution feature when creating scopes, as discussed in the BrightWorks
manual.
1. Choose the Add button in the Select Query dialog box.
The Add Query dialog box is displayed. Press the <TAB> key to move from
field to field within this dialog box.
2. Enter a Query Name and define a filter entry.
The purpose of each filter entry is to narrow down the list of records
to be included in a report. If more than one filter entry is defined,
the entries are "linked" using either the AND or OR relationship.
For example, assume the following two filter entries:
Central Processing Unit = Intel_80386
CPU Clock Frequency > 66.00 Mhz
If the entries are linked with the AND relationship, only the nodes that
satisfy both criteria (i.e., the 80386 machines that have a clock speed
greater than 66 Mhz) are included in the report definition.
If the entries are linked with the OR relationship, the nodes that
satisfy either criteria (i.e., all Intel 80386 machines and all machines
that have a clock speed greater than 66 Mhz) are included in the report
definition.
For each filter entry, specify the following:
o Query Name - Enter a query name up to 80 characters in length.
o Component - Choose a component from the LAN Inventory database to
use as the filter basis. Select a component from the drop-down list
associated with this field (e.g., Brand, Computer Model, CPU Clock
Frequency).
o Condition - Choose a conditional operator from the drop-down list
associated with this field (e.g., equal to, less than, greater than,
not equal to). 'Equal to' is the default condition.
o Description - If desired, choose a description of the component.
(This field can be NULL.) The items which automatically display in
this list depend on the selected component. For example, "Intel_80386"
might display if Central Processing Unit is entered in the Component
field; "16.00 Mhz" might display if CPU Clock Frequency is entered in
the Component field. See Note (a) below.
o Query Link - Specify the relationship between the filter entries
(e.g., Central Processing Unit = 80386 OR Central Processing Unit =
80486). The link options are AND and OR. See Note (b) below.
NOTES: a - To create a query which tests for the presence of a component,
leave the Description field blank. For example, to include all nodes with a
hard disk, construct a query with the following entries:
Component =
Hard Disk #1 < >
In this case, the Component description is left blank, and the query results
in including all nodes which have a hard disk (i.e., Hard Disk #1 does not
equal blank).
b - All filter entries in a query must have the same Query Link type
(e.g., all entries will be linked by AND or all entries will be linked by OR).
3. Choose the Insert button to accept the filter entry definition.
The entry is added to the Current Query list in the Edit Query dialog
box.
4. If required, insert additional filter entries.
Repeat steps #2 and #3 above.
NOTE: To add a filter entry between existing entries, first highlight the
filter entry line in the Current Query list where you want the new entry to
be placed. The new defined entry is placed in the highlighted position.
5. When all filter entries are defined, choose the Save button.
The query is saved and added to the Available Queries list in the Select
Query dialog box. The new query can now be applied to a report.
9.3.5 Editing a Query
Use the following procedure to edit the definition of an existing query.
The procedure assumes that you have already chosen the Select button in the
Choose Report dialog box to display the Select Query dialog box.
1. Select a query from the Select Query dialog box, and choose the Edit
button.
The Edit Query dialog box is displayed showing the query's filter entries.
2. Modify the information, and choose the Save button.
For instructions on modifying the filter entries, follow the procedure
above entitled "Creating a New Query."
To delete a filter entry, highlight the entry in the Current Query List
and choose the Delete button.
NOTE: To add a filter entry between existing entries, first highlight the
filter entry line in the Current Query List where you want the new entry to
be placed. The new defined entry is placed in the highlighted position.
9.3.6 Deleting a Query
Use the following procedure to delete an existing query. The procedure
assumes that you have already chosen the Select button in the Choose Report
dialog box to display the Select Query dialog box.
1. Select the query to be deleted from the Select Query dialog box, and
choose the Delete button.
A prompt is displayed asking you to verify the delete action. Choose the
Yes button to delete the query. The query is removed from the Available
Queries list.
NOTE: Queries that are currently applied to a software distribution scope
and/or inventory/distribution report can be deleted.
9.4 Adding New Reports
Additional reports can be incorporated into the LAN Inventory system through
the use of the Crystal Reports software. Queries can also be applied to the
new reports, and once added, the reports can be renamed and/or deleted.
NOTE: The Crystal Reports software is installed with LAN Inventory. A Crystal
Reports program icon is added to the MCAFEE Program Manager group. Procedures
for using Crystal Reports are presented in Appendices F-H.
9.4.1 Adding Reports
New reports created using the Crystal Reports software can be added into LAN
Inventory by using the following procedure. All report files (.RPT) must be
located in the LANINV program directory.
Use the following procedure to add a new report into LAN Inventory.
1. Choose the Inventory and Distribution command from the Reports menu.
The Choose Report dialog box is displayed.
2. Choose the New button.
The New Report dialog box is displayed.
3. Enter the Report Name of the report to be added.
The name entered in this field is the name that will display in the
Choose Report dialog box.
4. Select the File Name, and choose the OK button.
Select the .RPT file name to be added into LAN Inventory. (The .RPT
files that display are located in the LANINV program directory.) The
selected file will be associated with the Report Name entered in the
above step.
9.4.2 Renaming Added Reports
Use the following procedure to rename a Crystal report that has been added
into LAN Inventory.
1. Choose the Inventory and Distribution command from the Reports menu.
The Choose Report dialog box is displayed.
2. From the list of Report Names, select the report to be renamed, and
choose the Rename button.
The Rename Report dialog box is displayed prompting you to enter a new
report name.
3. Enter the new report name, and choose the OK button.
The new report name is displayed in the Choose Report dialog box, and the
old name is removed. All attributes of the old report are preserved in the
renamed report (i.e., the report contents and applied query do not change).
9.4.3 Deleting Reports
Use the following procedure to delete a Crystal report that has been added
into LAN Inventory.
NOTE: A pre-defined LAN Inventory report style sheet cannot be deleted;
however, a report that was created using the Crystal Reports software and
then added into LAN Inventory can be deleted.
1. Choose the Inventory and Distribution command from the Reports menu.
The Choose Report dialog box is displayed.
2. From the list of Report Names, select the report to be deleted, and
choose the Delete button.
A prompt is displayed asking you to confirm the deletion.
3. Choose the Yes button to delete the report.
If deleted, the report name is removed from the Choose Report dialog box.
