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This documentation supports the 21.05 version of BMC Helix ITSM: Asset Management. To view an earlier version, select the version from the product version menu.

Searching for CIs

In BMC Helix ITSM: Asset Management, you can search for CIs by using the application console. You can search for the CIs by using any of the following methods:

  • Predefined searches
  • Search for the CIs by using the Search form.
  • Create and save your own custom searches by using advanced qualifications.


Related topic

Searching for records in the application consoles

You can also use the advanced CI search to perform a search of the BMC Helix CMDB, based on CI type. You can refine the search by providing more specific search criteria from a set of selection fields.

When you search a Computer System CI class, the advanced search feature displays a further set of search criteria that you can use to conduct searches at the component level. For example, you can search for all computer systems running a specific patch or for all computer systems running Microsoft Windows 2000.

After you finish performing your search, the results appear in an on-screen table. You can than generate and print a high-level report of one or more of the CIs found during the search.

Warning

Important

In the Advanced CI search dialog box, you cannot search for CI records that have the status as Delete. To view a list of CIs with status as Delete, on the Asset Management console, select Filter by > Defined Searches > By Computer by Status > Delete.

CIs with status as Delete are displayed when:

  • You search the asset form
  • You select Application Administration Console > Custom Configuration > Asset Management > Advanced Options > CI Deletion. 

You can create a search query from BMC CMDB to build complex searches. You can specify multiple classes and attributes, and group search conditions. For example, you can search for all computer systems in Houston or London that are running Microsoft Windows XP.


To perform an advanced CI search

  1. In the navigation pane of the Asset Management console, select Functions > Manage CIs.
  2. In the Select a CI Type dialog box, click Advanced Search.
  3. In the Select CI type area, select the appropriate sub-class, and then select the required CI type from the list.
    For example, if you want to search for a LAN Endpoint, expand the Access Point menu item, and select LAN Endpoint.

  4. Click Search to find all the items that match the selected CI type, or you can narrow the search by providing more specific search criteria. Continue with step 4 if you are providing more specific search criteria; otherwise, go to step 5.

    Success

    Best practice
    Broad searches can take a long time to complete. They can also create performance issues for your system. We recommend that you provide a more specific search criteria.

  5. (Optional) In the Search Criteria for ciType area, provide the search criteria and click Search.
  6. In the CI Search Results area, select the required CI and perform the following steps:

To create a graph query to search for a CI

To create a graph query to search for a CI, you must first go to Asset Management console and select Functions > Advanced CI Search and then perform the following steps in the CMDB Dashboard:

Warning

Some content is unavailable due to permissions.

To modify your application preferences

  1. From the navigation pane of the Asset Management console, choose Functions > Application Preferences.

  2. Update the form as appropriate. 
    The following table describes the settings available on the form. 

    Application preference settings

  3. Click Save.

 

Tip: For faster searching, add an asterisk to the end of your partial query. Example: cert*

BMC Helix ITSM: Asset Management 21.05