Creating and managing custom rules for software

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Available from 9.2.7.

You can create custom rules to automate the process of software classification. The rules automatically perform the action that is defined by the rule criteria. For example, when you create a custom rule while assigning a component to a product, the rule is applied whenever the exact same component is discovered in the future.

Before you begin

An icon representing a user. You must have the following permissions to perform this task.
  • For application update 9.2.31 and later, you must have the Manage Custom Rules permission.
  • For application update between 9.2.7 and 9.2.30, you must have the Manage Imports and Manage Software Classification permissions.
Note: Custom rules cascade down in hierarchical computer groups. If user defines a custom rule for a parent group, this rule affects also the child groups. Parent group custom rules are not visible to users assigned only to child group.

About this task

  • Custom rules can be applied to:
    • A computer group when they are created for this computer group
    • Computer group to which the user is assigned. The user cannot choose a computer group, and is limited to the group or groups to which the user belongs. The rule is always applied to the current user group. When user's computer group changes, the rule scope is revised.
  • 9.2.16 Starting from application update 9.2.16, you can create a custom rule for suppressing components.
  • The number of unique custom rules that you can create is limited.
    • For application update 9.2.20 and later, you can create up to 50 custom rules.
    • For application updates 9.2.7 to 9.2.19, you can create up to 10 custom rules.
  • 9.2.31 Starting from application update 9.2.31, the number of custom rules that you can create is shared between custom rules that you create for software and hardware.
  • 9.2.31 Starting from application update 9.2.31, you can no longer create a custom rule that is applicable for a single computer. You could create such a rule by clicking the name of a computer on the Computers report and then choosing Software Classification from the list of reports in the upper left corner. This possibility is removed as creating custom rules is most efficient if they are applicable to groups of computers, not single computers. Custom rules for software that you created for single computers are removed during the upgrade. If you need to create such rules, filter the Software Classification report so that it contains only software that is installed on a single computer. Then, create the custom rule.

Procedure

  1. In the top navigation bar, click Reports > Software Classification.
  2. Filter the report so that it shows only software instances for which you want to create a custom rule. To filter the report, hover over Configure, and click Configure View. Then, select appropriate filters.
    Tip: You can choose any filters to create a custom rule. If you are filtering the report by component, specify its exact version to avoid inconsistency.
  3. To select all filtered instances, press Ctrl + A, or CMD + A on Mac.
    A custom rule can be created only when you select all instances that are currently displayed.
  4. Assign a component to a product, or exclude a product or suppress a component from software calculations.
  5. Before you confirm the assignment, exclusion, or suppression select the Create a custom rule check box.
    Restriction: You cannot create a custom rule and share the component at the same time. Perform these actions separately.
  6. Click Assign, Exclude, or Suppress.

Results

The custom rule was created. To view your custom rules, go to Management > Custom Rules. The rules are added to the panel in the order of creation, and are applied from the top during import.

Deleting custom rules

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All custom rules that you create are displayed, and can be deleted on the Custom Rules panel. Any user who has the Manage Custom Rules permission can add and delete rules that were created in scope of the computer group to which the user has access, including the rules created by other users. When you delete a user, the rules created by that user are not automatically removed.

Before you begin

An icon representing a user. You must have the following permissions to perform this task.
  • For application update 9.2.31 and later, you must have the Manage Software Classification and Manage Custom Rules permissions.
  • For application update between 9.2.7 and 9.2.30, you must have the Manage Imports and Manage Software Classification permissions.

Procedure

  1. In the top navigation bar, click Management > Custom Rules.
  2. Select a custom rule that you want to delete, and click Delete.

Results

The rule is deleted and no longer applied. The software classification based on the rule remains unchanged.