A system inventory provides a condensed overview of the number of directories and files within those directories on selected storage resources.
NOTE:Depending on the type of Novell® File Reporter environment you have deployed, a storage resource can be a server volume, a Novell Storage Manager policy, a network folder path, or a Linux mount point.
Because the system inventory is relatively quick to run, small in size, and can include data on multiple storage resources, there might be times when you want to simply conduct a system inventory rather than generate a report.
IMPORTANT:An initial system inventory should be conducted prior to determining the optimal disk space you need on the server hosting the NFR Engine for storing scans and reports. After the NFR Engine and at least one NFR Agent have been installed and configured, you can conduct a system inventory for the storage resource serviced by the NFR Agent. You then use that data to estimate the amount of files and disk space used on the other storage resources you plan to report on, in order to estimate the total disk space needed.
After the system inventory has been conducted, one available option is to export the inventory data to a Microsoft Excel* file, which provides expanded detail on the storage resource, including:
Size estimates in “raw” form and uncompressed form
Collection time estimates for generating a scan
Transport time estimates for transporting the data from the NFR Agent to the NFR Engine
Recommendations for dispersing the scanning schedule during a 14-day calendar
A sample system inventory exported into Microsoft Excel is shown below.
Figure 3-1 Size estimates displayed in a system inventory exported to Excel