Displaying Custom Attributes in Response Test Report Tables

Products

• Network Observability
• CA Performance Management

Issue/Introduction

Custom Attributes to be displayed in NetOps Portal Dashboard reports and views.

End users are asking if it is possible to add custom information into the reports.

We want to add custom properties that show things like device vendor and other data points. These data points are not available through SNMP Polling of MIB data from target devices.

You can add and display custom attributes as columns within report view tables that support item properties.​‌‌‌​‌​

 

SYMPTOMS:

• Users need to view spreadsheet-sourced data (IP, customer, vendor) within reports․

• Requirement to add custom and vendor information to the Top Response Tests (CMP for Device) table․

• Need to use the first IP shown under "Name" as a search key for attribute mapping․

 

CONTEXT: This applies when custom attributes are set against specific items and need to be surfaced in dashboard views․

 

IMPACT: Enables visibility of external customer and vendor metadata directly within the network observability interface․

Environment

Network Observability DX NetOps Portal web server

Resolution

First we must create the custom attributes and populate them with data.

Once created and set with values, we then add a specific Table View and add the custom attributes to the View.

 

1. Create custom attributes; populate their values.
   • Use REST to create custom attributes and populate them with data.
   • See the Manage Custom Attributes documentation topic for additional details.
2. Create a Dashboard to show the values.
   1. Create a new Dashboard or add a new View to an existing Dashboard.
   2. Go to the "Custom View - Infrastructure Management" folder.
   3. Select the "IM Table (Top)" option.
   4. Add the View to the Dashboard.
   5. Configure the View with the target metrics.
   6. Set the item context on the report to use items that have custom attribute values set.
   7. Save and run the Dashboard
3. Display the custom attributes in new columns in the View table.
   1. In the Dashboard View mouse over the Device Name column.
   2. Select the Gear icon on the column header and open the Columns option.
   3. The custom attribute should appear as an option to add a new column to the View.

 

Here is a sample where a custom attribute set up against devices appears in a View configured to show device based item data. Note the 'Zesty Sauce' labeled and empty column. It's from a custom attribute named 'Zesty Sauce' that hasn't been set with a value. Only items that have had the custom attribute set with a value would show a value.

 

Additional Information

KNOWN LIMITATIONS: Columns for custom attributes will appear empty if the attribute has not been set with a value for those specific devices ․

 

PREVENTION: Ensure all devices in the spreadsheet are correctly mapped to their corresponding custom attribute values within the system to avoid empty report columns ․