Search overview

Search types

The NFM-P typically manages large numbers of network objects, policies, and configurations. Searches allow you to find the objects and information required for your operations. Searches are available for list forms, navigation tree objects, configuration parameters, and online documentation.

This section provides an overview of NFM-P search features. See Procedures for searching for search procedures.

Table 1-1: NFM-P search types

Search type	Description	See
Find attribute	Locate a tab, panel, or parameter on a form using the Find icon	To locate an attribute on a configuration form
Simple search	Search lists using column headings to create filters	Simple searches in this section To perform a simple search from an object list form
Advanced search	Search lists using the filter configuration form	Advanced searches in this section To perform an advanced search from an object list form
Endpoint search	Search for LSPs, tunnels, and paths by specifying endpoints	To perform a search by specifying endpoints
Equipment Group filters	Search for equipment objects, and service objects, based on equipment groups	To configure and save equipment group filters and To use a saved equipment group filter
Navigation tree	Search for network objects in the navigation tree using the Find icon or Find field	To locate objects in the navigation tree
NSP Help Center	Search the NFM-P user documentation	Help→Open Help Center in the NFM-P main menu.

Search filters

Some search types use configurable search filters. Filter configuration varies depending on the type of search; see Table 1-1, NFM-P search types.

Search filters for lists in the NFM-P typically consist of one or more filter properties that are based on the type of objects in the list.

A filter property is a combination of an attribute, a function, and a value:

Attribute: defines the information type, or field, to be searched. Attributes typically correspond to the properties and parameters for objects in the list. For example, you could filter a list of services by using the Customer attribute to search for services associated with a particular customer. Attributes are specific to the object type being searched.
Function: defines the operation that the search performs. For example, the CONTAINS function will search in the list for instances where the attribute contains a specified value, such as a number or text string. The available functions vary, depending on the selected attribute. See Table 1-2, Search functions for information about search functions.
Value: specifies the character string or parameter setting used by the function. The available values depend on the selected attribute. For example, if the Customer ID attribute is selected, you can configure numerals in the Value field. If the Current OLC State attribute is selected, you can choose In Service or Maintenance from the drop-down menu for the Value field.

You can configure filter properties using the column headings of a list; see Simple searches in this section. You can open the filter configuration form to display, create, and modify filter properties. The filter configuration form is used for advanced searches; see Advanced searches in this section. Figure 1-6, Filter configuration form shows the filter configuration form.

You can save search filters for reuse or modification; see To save search filters . Saved filters appear in the filter list drop-down menu for the list form; see Figure 1-1, List form .

When a saved search filter contains attributes or values that are not available for the object type you are searching, the NFM-P alerts you by displaying red text. See Invalid attributes or values in this section for more information.

If the number of search results exceeds the allowed limit, the NFM-P displays a dialog box that indicates the number of results returned. You can modify a filter to refine the search criteria and reduce the search results.

On some list forms, you can enable a span of control filter to display only the objects that are within your Edit span of control; see To filter using span of control .

Table 1-2: Search functions

Operator	Description
APPROXIMATELY EQUAL	Filters by object timestamp. The function allows you to specify a timestamp value using 1 min resolution rather than the 1 ms default resolution. The search returns items that match the specified timestamp value. Select a time unit in the display (yyyy/mm/dd/hh:mm) and click on the arrows in the column heading to specify a time value.
BETWEEN	Filters by object timestamp. The function allows you to specify a start time and end time. The search returns items that have a timestamp between the configured values. Click the Select icon, select a time unit in the display (yyyy/mm/dd/hh:mm), and click on the arrows in the column heading to specify a time value for Start Time and End Time. If the start and end time are the same, the OK button is dimmed.
CONTAINS	Filters by comparing character strings. The search returns an item when the search term matches any part of the character string of the item. For example, the filter property “Description CONTAINS (ab)” returns all items with the string “ab” in the Description attribute, such as “ABC Industries” and “Calgary, AB”. An empty CONTAINS search returns all items. The function is not case-sensitive.
DOES NOT CONTAIN	Filters by comparing character strings. The search returns an item when the search term does not match any part of the character string of the item. For example, the filter property “Description DOES NOT CONTAIN (ab)” returns items that do not contain the string “ab” in the Description attribute. Items with Descriptions such as “ABC Industries” and “Calgary, AB” are not returned in the search results. The function is not case-sensitive.
EQUALS	The search returns an item when the search term exactly matches the attribute value of the item. The function is case-sensitive.
GREATER OR EQUAL	Filters by comparing numerical values.The search returns items that have a value greater than or equal to the search term.
GREATER THAN	Filters by comparing numerical values.The search returns items that have a value greater than the search term.
IS BLANK	The search returns items that do not have a value. For example, the filter property “Associated Template IS BLANK” returns services that have no configured value in the Associated Template field. When the IS BLANK function is selected, you cannot configure a value for the filter property.
IN THE PAST	Filters by object timestamp. The function allows you to enter a period of time. The search returns items that are within the specified period of time before the present; for example, in the past two hours. Click the Select icon in the column heading and enter a period of time.
LESS OR EQUAL	Filters by comparing numerical values.The search returns items that have a value less than or equal to the search term.
LESS THAN	Filters by comparing numerical values.The search returns items that have a value less than the search term.
MATCHES	Applies to simple searches using column headings, for a single property of a group of checkboxes. The MATCHES function filters by comparing checkbox settings. The search returns an item when the checkbox setting (selected or deselected) of the search term matches the checkbox setting of the item.
MATCHES ALL	Applies to advanced searches using the filter configuration form, for attributes that show settings for a group of checkboxes. When you choose the MATCHES ALL function, you must click Properties in the Value field and select or deselect the checkboxes associated with the attribute. The MATCHES ALL function filters by comparing checkbox settings. The search returns an item when all of the selected checkbox settings of the search term are selected for the item.
MATCHES ANY	Applies to advanced searches using the filter configuration form, for attributes that show settings for a group of checkboxes. When you choose the MATCHES ANY function, you must click Properties in the Value field and select or deselect the checkboxes associated with the attribute. The MATCHES ANY function filters by comparing checkbox settings. The search returns an item when one or more of the selected checkboxes of the search term matches the corresponding checkbox of the item.
NOT EQUAL	The search returns an item when the search term does not exactly match the attribute value of the item. The function is case-sensitive.
WILDCARD	For filters based on character strings (letters, numbers, or special characters). Wildcards substitute for characters in the search term. Use a question mark (?) to substitute for a single character. Use a single asterisk (*) to substitute for multiple characters. The function is case-sensitive.

Equipment group filters

Equipment group filters allow you to search for objects that are organized by equipment group, such as managed equipment objects, and managed service objects. An equipment group is sometimes called a topology group.

An equipment group filter is created by selecting from existing equipment groups. Filters can be saved for reuse or modification. See To configure and save equipment group filters and To use a saved equipment group filter for more information about equipment group filters.