Hardware Components

A Computer - which may have components installed inside or attached to it. A User - which may own hardware that is not computer attached but rather belongs to a person (like a PDA), and a Location which can be physical place where hardware is stored or operated (like a Departmental Printer, or a Switch in the server room). The hardware assignment interface is generalized to support association with each type of "owner" object. For this reason it is accessible from each such object type in the edit menu: when editing a computer you can click the "Assing Hardware" icon - a popup window will appear that will allow you to assign hardware to that computer - and the same goes when editing a location or a user.

The dialog supports the following functionality:When you start the dialog, or when clicking the list button you'll be presented with the list of hardware currently associated with the object being edited. From this list you can perform different operations on each hardware item. (See below).

Assigning New Hardware New hardware can be assigned by clicking the "Add Hardware" button on the top toolbar. Note, that you can only assign predefined hardware components. The dialog contains these fields:Hardware Types - This listbox chooses which type of hardware you want to assign. When a type is chosen from the box, the lower "Hardware Model" listbox will change its contents to display hardware of that type only. This makes it easier to browse through numerous hardware objects. Hardware Model - This listbox controls which model to assign. Choose from the type listbox above it, and then from this listbox to specify the extact type you wish to add. Hardware Version - In this field you can type additional information about the hardware. Usually the hardware model is generic: Intel Pentium 2 CPU, and the version information completes the picture by adding "400Mhz" to get complete information about the installed component. Hardware Tag - You specify a tag for this hardware (similar to computer tag). This is useful if you're using tags (like stickers, barcodes and similar) to track your hardware. Serial Number - This optional field allows you to enter the component's serial number. This can be done for unique tracking of the component. Purchased From - Choose from the listbox which vendor this item was purchased from. Vendors must be pre-defined to appear in this listbox. Purchase Date - Enter purchase date in YYYY-MM-DD format, or click the calendar icon to choose a date.Warrenty Ends - This dual field defines warrenty relative to the purchase date. In the edit box you can enter an amount, and in the listbox you choose what time frame this amount refers to. In this manner you can define warrenties like: 3 years, 90 days and so on.

Deleting hardware is also done in the standard way. Note that if you wish to remove the hardware component from the currently assigned object to another object - it would be better to use the hardware clipboard functionality (See below) instead of deleting the hardware and adding it to the target object.