IBM Tivoli Monitoring, Version 6.3

Creating derived attributes

You can create an attribute that derives its value from other attributes instead of directly from the data source.

Before you begin

Open the Data Source Definition Page. For more information, see The Data Source Definition page.

About this task

In the derived attribute, you can perform operations on the values of the source attributes. For example, you can perform basic arithmetic operations on numeric attributes or string concatenation on string attributes.

The basic expression syntax that is used for derived expressions contains functions. These functions provide a more complicated manipulation of data that includes short-term aggregation, conversion from string to integer, and accessing configuration properties and environment variables. In addition, an editor helps you visualize the expression as it is being built.

Procedure

  1. On the Data Source Definition page, right-click the data source and click Add Attribute.
  2. On the Attribute Information page, type an Attribute name and Help text.
    Figure 1. Attribute Information page
    Attribute Information page with fields for entering attribute information and the Display attribute in the Tivoli Enterprise Portal box checked
  3. Click the Derived Attribute Details tab to create an attribute that derives its value from other attributes instead of directly from the data source.
    Figure 2. Attribute Information page with Derived Attribute Details tab open
    Attribute Information page that contains values for a sample derived numeric attribute with a sample formula.
  4. In the Formula field, type the formula text or click Edit to enter the formula with a graphical editor. See Formula operators and functions for information about the operators and functions that can be used in the formula.
    Note: When you click Edit, the Formula Editor opens. See Editing derived attributes for information about editing derived attributes.
  5. Optional: Select or clear the Interval specific calculations check box to determine which two attribute sample values are used when the function is calculated. Use this option when your formula uses the rate or delta functions. For more information about Interval specific calculations, see Interval specific calculations. For more information about rate and delta functions, see Formula operators and functions.
  6. In the Attribute type area, click the type of attribute.
  7. Click OK. The Data Source Definition page is displayed again with the data source listed in it as before.
  8. Click Finish.
Parent topic: Editing data source and attribute properties

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