Client Management Suite

We're working on transitioning from DS 6.9 to DS 7.x and I'm fumbling around like an idiot with the search feature in SMC.  In DS 6.9 I could - through the web console at least - type in a serial number, user name, computer name, etc. and anything containing that result would pop up.  It was simple but also offered an advanced search if needed.

However, with SMC 7.x I can't figure out how to get the simplest of all things to work right: Search.  I add search criteria, but they don't save.  I can save the search, but every time I want to search by... say MAC address, I have to add the criteria back in.

What am I doing wrong?  Is there a better way?

Thanks.

Unfortunately thats my experience too.

You can save filters but that doesn't help you if you're doing an on the fly search for a mac address, serial number or IP address for example.

Also the other thing i found with the console is if you do type in a name or something to seach on sometimes the page starts refreshing and eventually it possibly shows you the right result but not always.

One thing i will say though is since we have started forcing structured policies and the software portal for adhoc software I dont find myself needing to use that page half as much. BUT the page definately doesnt feel like it was designed by someone who works doing support day in and out. its just not functional or fast enough for that.

the other thing i've done to ensure i get the right data every time is to mock up some basic reports that i can search for IP / Serial Number / MAC Address on the fly. they are definately quicker when just looking for data.. but it obviously falls short when trying to doing something with that device afterwards.

In order to take advantage of the Search function and make life much easier... change the setting of your Enhanced Console Views.

Under: Settings | Console | Enhanced Views

Adjust the radio button from "As you type" to "After you press Enter". I also have my item limit set to 20K.

 

Benjamin,

Under those settings i dont have a 'As you type' or 'after you press enter' option.

I'm going to be upgrading to SP2 shortly so it may not be in SP1.

Thanks for the heads up though!

Yes, sorry, this is a new SP2 option actually implemented per a request I made back when 7.1 was first released. The option helps tremendously in typing searches. You will also notice HUGE speed increases in the Enhanced Console/Activity Center views once SP2 is installed.

I don't think the new feature was actually called out anywhere either, I just stumbled across it after verifying my install & settings were all correct.

It's not that it takes a while to search.  It's that if you want to search by, say user name, you have to go in every time and check the boxes to add it as a criteria, then search.  There seems to be no way to set your personal, default criteria (computer name, user name, serial number, MAC address...) and save those criteria such that any time you perform a search they're not only available, but perhaps are the only criteria automatically searched.

Good to know, I plan on upgrading soon so i will apply that change once the upgrade has occurred.

Thanks for the heads up :)

Yes, I understand your issue now. I also wish there was a way to save the added search criteria so that it's an available search field within the Activity Center instead of having to add it each time.

I put the idea up as an enhancement idea.

https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/ideas/computers-enhanced-view-customise-default-search-critera-list-and-save

1 thumbs up from me!!!

I use the save search option to acheive this. Once you have added the custom criteria such as Mac address or Chasis type the save the search and it will be stored in the saved search pane.

When i want to search via mac address I click on my saved search called MAC address and the custom criteria is there so i can just type in the mac address and the search works fine.

not brilliant as there is no folder structure when you build up a lot of custom searches but is certainly workable

Thank you that'll definately help for the short term :)

CMS Computers Limited is leading supplier of a wide range of computer products on the Internet at the lowest possible prices all backed by our outstanding service. I like to discuss more about this thanks for sharing the informative post. Regards, Robert - SEO Lancashire

I apparently typo'd.  CMS was supposed to be SMC (Symantec Management Console).