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Custom report with Active Directory computer attributes

  • 1.  Custom report with Active Directory computer attributes

    Posted May 22, 2014 09:36 AM

    Hi,

     

    Very new to Altiris.  Running v7.0.  Licensed for 7.5 but waiting for new server infrastructure before we can deploy.

    Anyways, here's my question:

    I want to create a custom report and include some of the computer object attributes from Active Directory.  This could include "Description", "Location", etc.

    Are these attributes readily available for a custom report or do I need to create custom data classes (which I don't know how to do yet) ?

    I logged on to the Installation Manager and we have the "Data Connector 7.0" installed.  I've been reading a bit on this topic and people mention "Data Connector for AD", which I don't know if I have...but I assume I do since we are importing our Active Directory.  I have tried a few custom report and while I can add info obtained from the computer inventory, I can't seem to find the info from the Active Directory inventory.  Obviously, I'd want a report that links both inventories.

    Thanks for any help and pointing me in the right direction.

    Chucky

     



  • 2.  RE: Custom report with Active Directory computer attributes

    Posted May 22, 2014 01:45 PM
    The ad connector and data connector are different components. Ad connector is a discovery method which allows to to map ad attributes to data class columns, via an import rules default column mapping link. Data connector will allow you to create a ldap data source and then an import rule; however, you will need to know how to create ldap queries. Ad connector is easier to use and also allows you to include a ldap query if required.


  • 3.  RE: Custom report with Active Directory computer attributes

    Posted May 22, 2014 02:09 PM

    ok thanks.  And how would I know if I am licensed for the AD Connector ?  Would it be listed in "Installation Manager".  It is not.



  • 4.  RE: Custom report with Active Directory computer attributes

    Posted May 22, 2014 02:43 PM
    Its free as it is included with the smp install.


  • 5.  RE: Custom report with Active Directory computer attributes

    Posted May 23, 2014 10:26 AM

    Ok so what steps need to be done to have, for example, the "location" attribute added to a report?  It doesn't appear to be a simple process nor very intuitive.

    Rightnow, I have a report that lists the computer name, model, serial number.  But that information is obtained from the computer inventory.  I want to include the "location" field from AD.

    Thanks



  • 6.  RE: Custom report with Active Directory computer attributes

    Posted May 23, 2014 11:23 AM

    I think I figured it out.  I already have import rules (Settings | Notification Server | Microsoft Active Directory Import | Resource Import Rules) so I assume I just need to edit the "default column mappings" to map the attributes I want.



  • 7.  RE: Custom report with Active Directory computer attributes
    Best Answer

    Posted May 23, 2014 11:55 AM

    So when I look at the "Default Column Mappings", all of the entries are still set to "Null".   Does that mean that all of them will have a null value or that they are being imported with their default value ?

    Also, if none of the existing entries have an appropriate name, I should be able to create a custom class and have it appear in the list (as per HOWTO6461).  Right ?



  • 8.  RE: Custom report with Active Directory computer attributes

    Posted May 24, 2014 03:55 AM

    Entries that have null values will not be mapped to coulmns within the listed data classes.

    Yes you can create a user editable data class which will be added to the data class list as long as it gets associated with the resource type you are importing.



  • 9.  RE: Custom report with Active Directory computer attributes

    Posted May 26, 2014 07:09 AM

    Ok Thanks.  This begs the following question:   If the "Default column mapping" has all the entries set to "null", exactly which information is imported and mapped from Active Directory by default ?



  • 10.  RE: Custom report with Active Directory computer attributes

    Posted May 27, 2014 03:05 PM

    Usually just the machine name and domain name I believe, as anything else would require a column to be mapped.



  • 11.  RE: Custom report with Active Directory computer attributes
    Best Answer

    Posted May 29, 2014 08:54 AM

    SK, thanks for your help so far.

    I followed HOWTO6461 and created the data class, created the association, changed the import rule, and edited my report to include the new data class.  All appears ok up to now.  I then ran an "Update Import" for the rule that has the custom mapping.  The AD data wasn't included in the report.

    Would I need to run a full import instead ?

    Exactly what is the difference between a full import and and update import ?



  • 12.  RE: Custom report with Active Directory computer attributes
    Best Answer

    Posted May 29, 2014 01:10 PM

    Things to check: 

    1.  Do the AD object atributes have values within AD for the objects being targeted by the import rule? 

    2.  Has the custom data class been populated with that data by the import rule? 

    3.  Does the reports select statement target columns from the custom data class? 



  • 13.  RE: Custom report with Active Directory computer attributes

    Posted May 29, 2014 05:28 PM

    1. yes

    2. yes

    3. yes

    I just did a full import and that seems to have done it.  I didn't want to run it this morning during business hours.



  • 14.  RE: Custom report with Active Directory computer attributes

    Posted Jun 06, 2014 12:10 AM

    Glad to hear.  Please mark the relevant post as the solution to this thread.