Adding and editing custom attributes

This topic describes how to create, edit and delete custom attributes.

About this task

Custom attributes are used to add external information within the Insights database. The information can then be used to assist with reporting use cases. When a custom attribute is created, it can be leveraged to alias values within an Insights report. A practical use case of this functionality is provided below as an example.

Use Case: BigFix provides the literal interpretation of the operating system as installed on systems. This is reported through the operating system API and depending on the OS the resulting string may differ slightly. Check out the screenshot below for more details.

Figure 1. Example


Consider a scenario where you want to provide a rollup count for all given Linux distributions versus the count by individual Linux distributions. This is one of the many use cases where leveraging Custom Attributes can be beneficial.

Observe the data represented below. Note that there are two queries:

  1. The first query shows the contents of the custom_attributes table. Notice that the table has been populated with various distributions.
  2. The second query demonstrates how to leverage the table to normalize and group the data accordingly.

Using these two pieces together now enables the primary use case of rolling up operating system for all Linux Distributions.

Figure 2. Use case - Example

In short, the custom attributes table in combination with the specified query can be used together to normalize data for grouping in this use case. Custom_Attributes are leveraged within several of the BigFix published sample reports.

Assigning permissions to custom attributes

About this task

Perform the following steps to enable WebUI operators to add, edit, or delete custom attributes.
Note: The Set Global Permissions checkbox of the Report Attribute: Create/Edit/Delete should be selected to add, edit, or delete a custom attribute.
  1. Log in to WebUI as a Master Operator.
    Note: Master Operator permissions are required to assign permissions.
  2. Navigate to Settings gear and click Permissions.

  3. Assign the desired roles access to the Insights app.

  4. Once a user has been granted access to the Insights app, the user will see the Insights app in the WebUI/Apps dropdown.

Adding custom attributes

About this task

Perform the following steps to add a custom attribute:
  1. Log in to WebUI.
  2. Click Apps tab and click Insights.

    Data grid view enables a quick view of the custom attributes, value, and category lists. Every attribute gives an option to search or filter. You can add, remove, and resize columns.

  3. Click Add new attribute in the Custom Attributes page.

  4. Enter the Category Name, Attribute Name, and Value in the Add/edit Attribute slide out window and click Save.

Editing custom attributes

About this task

Perform the following steps to edit a custom attribute:
  1. Navigate to the Custom Attributes page in WebUI.
  2. Search or select the attribute from the list that you want to edit and click the edit icon.


  4. Edit the Category, Attribute, and Value and click Save.

Deleting custom attributes

About this task

Perform the following to delete an existing custom attribute.
  1. Navigate to the Custom Attributes page in the WebUI.
  2. Select/search the attribute(s) from the list that you want to delete and click Delete.

  3. After you click, a message will pop up asking you to confirm that you want to delete.