Using MBSA with custom shapes

[Dr. Dre]

Hello,

I've imported some vendor specific stencils and used data from an
external source to provide information about individual servers in
racks. I would like to be able to utilize MBSA, but can't for some
reason. I have no problem utilizing MBSA with visio provided
stencils, but can't seem to with the vendor ones...

Any tips on how to make it so I can use the MBSA on my custom shapes?

Thanks

DD

 

[Brett Newman]

Hi,
We developed the Visio Connector for MBSA so I hope we can help you
with this.

For a shape to work with the MBSA Connector they must have at least
one of the following Shape Data fields: IP Address, Network Name
(note that they need to be spelled just like this)
In addition, at least one of those fields must have a value. Even if
the fields exist, the shape won't work with MBSA unless one or both
fields have values.
If the vendor shapes you are using don't have either of these values,
you need to add them to the shapes. If you have lots of shapes to
modify it can get pretty tedious. You can use Shape Data Sets to add
these fields to multiple shapes at once. To do this, open the Shape
Data window with View>Shape Data Window, then right click in the Shape
Data Window and select Shape Data Sets. If you are unfamiliar with
this feature try the Help file.

Once your shapes have the required Shape Data fields, and at least one
is populated, you should see the SmartTag when you hover over it and
you can execute a scan from there. The shape should also appear in
the device list that appears when you start the scan process.

Brett

 

[Dr. Dre]

Hi,
We developed the Visio Connector for MBSA so I hope we can help you
with this.

For a shape to work with the MBSA Connector they must have at least
one of the following Shape Data fields: IP Address, Network Name
(note that they need to be spelled just like this)
In addition, at least one of those fields must have a value. Even if
the fields exist, the shape won't work with MBSA unless one or both
fields have values.
If the vendor shapes you are using don't have either of these values,
you need to add them to the shapes. If you have lots of shapes to
modify it can get pretty tedious. You can use Shape Data Sets to add
these fields to multiple shapes at once. To do this, open the Shape
Data window with View>Shape Data Window, then right click in the Shape
Data Window and select Shape Data Sets. If you are unfamiliar with
this feature try the Help file.

Once your shapes have the required Shape Data fields, and at least one
is populated, you should see the SmartTag when you hover over it and
you can execute a scan from there. The shape should also appear in
the device list that appears when you start the scan process.

Brett

Hi Brett,

Thanks for responding - I created a link of data from an excel
spreadsheet and populated (among others) the fields for IP Address and
Network Address; however, I don't get the tiny 'i' smart tag. Each of
the fields has a value. When I click on the 'MBSA' header, I get the
following prompt: 'There are currently no shapes configured for use
with MBSA'

Please advise.

Thanks much,

DD

 

[John Marshall, MVP]

Brett, do not be shy. You should mention that the shapes were developed by
Visimation along with a number of other offerings off the Microsoft website.

John... Visio MVP

Need stencils or ideas? http://visio.mvps.org/3rdparty.htm
Need VBA examples? http://visio.mvps.org/VBA.htm
Visio Wishlist http://visio.mvps.org/wish_list.htm
Hi,
We developed the Visio Connector for MBSA so I hope we can help you
with this.

For a shape to work with the MBSA Connector they must have at least
one of the following Shape Data fields: IP Address, Network Name
(note that they need to be spelled just like this)
In addition, at least one of those fields must have a value. Even if
the fields exist, the shape won't work with MBSA unless one or both
fields have values.
If the vendor shapes you are using don't have either of these values,
you need to add them to the shapes. If you have lots of shapes to
modify it can get pretty tedious. You can use Shape Data Sets to add
these fields to multiple shapes at once. To do this, open the Shape
Data window with View>Shape Data Window, then right click in the Shape
Data Window and select Shape Data Sets. If you are unfamiliar with
this feature try the Help file.

Once your shapes have the required Shape Data fields, and at least one
is populated, you should see the SmartTag when you hover over it and
you can execute a scan from there. The shape should also appear in
the device list that appears when you start the scan process.

Brett

 

[Brett Newman]

Hi,
I think you may be the same person who posed this question on our
ShapeSource forum:
http://www.shapesource.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1320

I'm sorry... I should have also mentioned that the Shape Data rows
must be named properly and you can do this by entering in the
following in the Name field of the Define Shape Data dialog:
IPAddress
NetworkName

If you simply enter the Label then Visio applies its default Name
which is Row_1 and Row_2, etc.. You need to change those names as
above.

This creates the following rows in the ShapeSheet:
Prop.IPAddress
Prop.NetworkName

The program doesn't use the Label to recognize the shapes; it uses the
Name.

I apologize for not describing this in better detail.

Brett

...