One of the features we particularly wanted from NAV is asset tracking. Am I right that these features are going to be dropped from NAV? All I really want is some way for NAV to keep track of switches in the store cupboard (both new and recycled), as well as those on the network. I don't think we are ever likely to use any features beyond that. If this feature area is to be dropped, would be be possible to add an "inactive" check box to the main Seed database/IP Devices/Add screen?
David
On Fri, 14 Aug 2009 17:24:27 +0100 "D.P.Round" d.p.round@bangor.ac.uk wrote:
One of the features we particularly wanted from NAV is asset tracking. Am I right that these features are going to be dropped from NAV? All I really want is some way for NAV to keep track of switches in the store cupboard (both new and recycled), as well as those on the network. I don't think we are ever likely to use any features beyond that. If this feature area is to be dropped, would be be possible to add an "inactive" check box to the main Seed database/IP Devices/Add screen?
We're removing parts of the asset tracking, which had fallen in to disuse and lack of maintenance. Specifically, we're removing the parts of the device management tool that allowed you to register products and product orders, and to register serial numbers of on-the-shelf devices.
After the changes, what's left will only register your devices when they've been encountered in operation (i.e. serial number pulled via SNMP). When the device is taken out of operation and placed on a shelf, NAV will still know, as it keeps a record of all serial numbers that have been seen.
I don't think NAV ever had any user interface to list devices that are on the shelf, even though the data is in the database. You can view the operational history of any device by searching for its serial number, though.
A proper report listing on-the-shelf devices might be very useful to some, including you, perhaps?
We're removing parts of the asset tracking, which had fallen in to disuse and lack of maintenance. Specifically, we're removing the parts of the device management tool that allowed you to register products and product orders, and to register serial numbers of on-the-shelf devices.
Thanks for the clarification.
After the changes, what's left will only register your devices when they've been encountered in operation (i.e. serial number pulled via SNMP). When the device is taken out of operation and placed on a shelf, NAV will still know, as it keeps a record of all serial numbers that have been seen.
We could still use NAV, but would have to temporarily connect all switches to the network as they arrive in order to let NAV see them. I guess this is possible, but it would be preferable to me to be able to fool NAV that it had seen the switch without the pain of booting/configuring it. This could be done with a small change to the Seed database/IP Devices/Add screen perhaps, rather than maintaining the asset management tools?
I don't think NAV ever had any user interface to list devices that are on the shelf, even though the data is in the database. You can view the operational history of any device by searching for its serial number, though.
A proper report listing on-the-shelf devices might be very useful to some, including you, perhaps?
It certainly would.
Many thanks
David
On Mon, 24 Aug 2009 15:30:06 +0100 "D.P.Round" d.p.round@bangor.ac.uk wrote:
We could still use NAV, but would have to temporarily connect all switches to the network as they arrive in order to let NAV see them. I guess this is possible, but it would be preferable to me to be able to fool NAV that it had seen the switch without the pain of booting/configuring it. This could be done with a small change to the Seed database/IP Devices/Add screen perhaps, rather than maintaining the asset management tools?
You have a valid point. I think we should discuss adding a simple form to seed db for "Add serial number of on-the-shelf device". I'm creating a blueprint for this so we have it on record: https://blueprints.launchpad.net/nav/+spec/register-offline-serial
A proper report listing on-the-shelf devices might be very useful to some, including you, perhaps?
It certainly would.
So I just added this blueprint as well: https://blueprints.launchpad.net/nav/+spec/offline-devices-report
Should be simple enough - a new report definition in report.conf is all that is required.
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D.P.Round -
Morten Brekkevold