What is the "AssetID" field used for, in the "Entity-physical" table?

Question

I'm looking to add a custom field in the NCM database that contains the our company asset tag #. I know that I can just create a custom field for the node, which goes in the "nodes" table, but I need more than that.

When it comes to Cisco 3750 stack switches, there are multiple asset tags per logical device.

Each asset tag is associated with a serial number in our asset management database. Therefore, each switch in stack has it's own asset tag.

So, I know that the "entity-physical" table keeps track of all the serial number for every device, including the individual switches that make up a 3750 stack switch. In that that table, there is a field called "AssetID". in my database, all of the entries are either blank, or say "NULL".

So the question is, what is the "AssetID" field used for, and can I use that field to enter all my asset tags? Or, does this field get over written when a device inventory is completed on each device?

I can easily write the SQL queries to populate the field, and to report the info in the field. I just don't know if the data will be overwritten or not.

Thanks,

Jeremy

rschroeder · Accepted Answer

You can populate the Asset ID field with anything you want--it should not be overwritten automatically.  We create an internal Asset ID number for everything in our inventory, and that number goes in this field.  It's possible the number of serial numbers you want to track will exceed the length restrictions of this field.  In that case you'll need a different solution to track all of them.  It might be as simple as associating all of your serial numbers with a master asset tracking number in a separate database.

Instead of tracking them separately, I use NCM's Inventory / Inventory Details / Physical Entities (Serial Number) option.  It shows the serial number for everything in my network gear--or at least everything that can be discovered with snmp.  That leaves me free to put other info in the Asset ID area--special notes, key words on which I can search later to discover specific groups of devices, etc.