Version Rules
In addition to identifying applications, Vector AM can check for specific versions of applications by
comparing files and file properties with the values expected for each installed version. Use the Set Version
Rule dialog to specify the version of an application identified by a combination of files, file properties
and directories. This version is then displayed in the Confirmed Identifications tab of the Software
Identification Manager.
To specify the version number for an application:
1 In the Rule
pane, right-click the File Rule that uniquely identifies this version of the application, and choose Set
Version from the shortcut menu. The Set Version Rule dialog is displayed.
2 If you want this version number to replace the current
number associated with this rule set, select Replace existing version number.
If you want to concatenate this template to the version number currently assigned to the rule set, select
.
For example, if a previous rule identified the application as version 6 and this rule identifies the minor
version number, select this option to append the minor number to the version number.
3 If you want Vector AM to identify the application with
a different version string, enter the string you want to use in the field.
For example, if you have identified WinWord 10, but want the software inventory to display the version
name by which it is commonly known, type XP in this field.
4 Click OK to save your changes and close the
dialog.
Extracting Version Information from Files
Some manufacturers encode version information in the timestamp or product version properties of application
files. Using these properties enables you to provide automatic, future-proof version recognition for software
installed on your Client PCs.
To extract the version information from a file:
1 In the Rule pane, right-click the rule that references
the file containing version information. The Version Identification Properties dialog displays the values
of the properties for the file you selected.
2 In
the Specify the property fields that contain version information field, enter
to specify the location of the version information.
|
Use the following tokens to specify the location of the files version information: |
|
Token |
Value Returned |
|
$HOURS |
The hour value of the file's timestamp. Any leading zero is ignored. |
|
$HOURTEN |
The first digit in the timestamp's hour field. |
|
$HOURUNIT |
The second digit in the timestamp's hour field. |
|
$MINUTES |
The minute value of the file's timestamp. Any leading zero is ignored. |
|
$MINUTETEN |
The first digit in the timestamp's minute field. |
|
$MINUTEUNIT |
The second digit in the timestamp's minute field. |
|
$SECONDS |
The seconds value of the file's timestamp. Any leading zero is ignored. |
|
$VERSIONINFO.VERSION1$ |
The first section of the product version field. |
|
$VERSIONINFO.VERSION2$ |
The second section of the product version field. |
|
$VERSIONINFO.VERSION3$ |
The third section of the product version field. |
|
$VERSIONINFO.VERSION4$ |
The fourth section of the product version field. |
|
$VERSIONINFO.VERSION$ |
All four sections of the product version field. |
|
Notes
To
restrict the size of the value returned by a version field, specify the maximum number of digits before
the final $. For example, if the full version number is 010.063.00.10, $VERSIONINFO.VERSION1(2)$.$VERSIONINFO.VERSION2(2)$
returns 01.06.
Different
manufacturers use different property fields to store product version information. Vector AM automatically
checks all the properties and selects the one that is most likely to contain version information.
|
Alternatively, that contain the version information from the or choose from the available
property list, and click Select. The token for the property is added to the Specify the
property fields that contain version information field.
For example, if the version number of the product is specified by the first two product version fields,
select Product version fields 1 and 2 in the list and click Select. The tokens that enable
Vector AM to extract the version information are displayed in the Specify the property fields that
contain version information field.
Take care when extracting version information from the timestamp of a file. For example, a timestamp
of 07:05:00 (7:05 a.m.), can represent a version number of 7.05 or 7.5 depending on the numbering system
used by the manufacturer. If the leading zero is not significant, select Hours and minutes to extract
only the final digit. If the leading zero is significant, specify the value by entering $HOURS.$MINUTETEN$MINUTEUNIT.
3 Click OK to save your changes and close the
dialog.
Related Topics
Adding File Rules
Adding Optional Rules
Adding Subdirectory Rules
Choosing Application Recognition
Rules
Version Recognition Methods