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Create Collection based on Computer Description?

Updated: 21 May 2010 | 4 comments
edarby22's picture
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I'd like to create a dynamic collection that is based on a keyword in the computer description field in Windows 2003 server. Has anyone done this and/or is it possible? I have Inventory solution but i don't see this field captured.

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SK's picture
28
Sep
2009
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Where is this displayed on the machine itself?

Where do you find this description on the actual machine, as this will help us to find out if this data is brought in or not.  An example of the description would be helpful too.

KSchroeder's picture
29
Sep
2009
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There is a KB article

There is a KB article with a custom inventory for retrieving that computer description string, you can read it here:
AKB 17109

Once that is implemented, then you can use the data in your collection definition.  I would probably use something like the following (assuming you don't have any WIn9x machines on your network anymore):

 

<InventoryClasses>
  <InventoryClass name='AeX Computer Description' manufacturer='Altiris' description='This data class contains the description of the computer as seen in Network Neighbourhood' version='1.0' platform='Win32' mifClass='Altiris|Computer_Network_Desc|1.0'>
	<xml xmlns:s="uuid:BDC6E3F0-6DA3-11d1-A2A3-00AA00C14882" xmlns:dt="uuid:C2F41010-65B3-11d1-A29F-00AA00C14882" xmlns:rs="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:rowset" xmlns:z="#RowsetSchema">
	   <s:Schema id="RowsetSchema">
	      <s:ElementType name="row" content="eltOnly" rs:updatable="true">
		 <s:AttributeType name="c0" rs:name="Comment" rs:number="1" rs:nullable="true" mifAttrId="1">
		    <s:datatype dt:type="string" dt:maxLength="255"/>
		 </s:AttributeType>
	      </s:ElementType>
	   </s:Schema>
<rs:data>
<%set path="HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\lanmanserver\parameters"%>
<z:row c0="<%writexml "reg:%path%\srvcomment"%>"
/>
</rs:data>
       </xml>
    </InventoryClass>
</InventoryClasses>

Thanks,
Kyle
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KSchroeder's picture
29
Sep
2009
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Once you have that...

...then you can go about creating your collection, something like:

SELECT Guid FROM vComputer vc
JOIN Inv_Aex_Computer_Description AS [CompDesc]
ON vc.Guid = CompDesc._ResourceGuid
WHERE vc.IsManaged = 1
AND CompDesc.Comment LIKE '%SomeCommentText%'

Thanks,
Kyle
Symantec Trusted Advisor

For Forum threads, please click "Mark as Solution" if answered.
For all content, please give a thumbs up if you agree with or support the post.

sugeily's picture
01
Oct
2009
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Thanks

Hi kyle,

I was looking this job, I will try what you suggest and hopefully solve my need.

Thanks