Filter by node fact

You can create a highly specific list of nodes for further investigation by using the fact filter tool.

For example, you can check that nodes you've updated have successfully changed, or find out the operating systems or IP addresses of a set of failed nodes to better understand the failure. You might also filter by facts to fulfill an auditor's request for information, such as the number of nodes running a particular version of software.

  1. Click Filter by fact value. In the Fact field, select one of the available facts. An empty fact field is not allowed.

    To see the facts and values reported by a node on its most recent run, click the node name in the Run status table, then select the node’s Facts tab.

  2. Select an Operator:

    Operator Meaning Notes
    =is 
    !=is not  
    ~matches a regular expression (regex) Select this operator to use wildcards and other regular expressions if you want to find matching facts without having to specify the exact value.
    !~does not match a regular expression (regex)  
    >greater than Can be used only with facts that have a numeric value.
    >=greater than or equal to Can be used only with facts that have a numeric value.
    <less than Can be used only with facts that have a numeric value.
    <=less than or equal to Can be used only with facts that have a numeric value.

  3. In the Value field, enter a value. Strings are case-sensitive, so make sure you use the correct case.

    The filter displays an error if you use an invalid string operator (for example, selecting a numeric value operator such as >= and entering a non-numeric string such as pilsen as the value) or enter an invalid regular expression.

    If you enter an invalid or empty value in the Value field, PE takes the following action in order to avoid a filter error:

    • Invalid or empty Boolean facts are processed as false, and results are retrieved accordingly.

    • Invalid or empty numeric facts are processed as 0, and results are retrieved accordingly.

    • Invalid or incomplete regular expressions invalidate the filter, and no results are retrieved.

  4. Click Add.
  5. As needed, repeat these steps to add additional filters. If filtering by more than one node fact, specify either Nodes must match all rules or Nodes can match any rule.