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Tip of the Month

Network Analysis Tip of the Month – March 2006

Dead End Ahead! and how to avoid it.

By Jim Thor, WildPackets Professional Services

Ever worked on an extensive advanced filter, and then realize that you need to insert an advanced object to the front of your filter string? Dead end.

So there you are, building an advanced filter. You have several objects in the filter, and then you realize that you need to insert a qualifier or additional object prior to the first object. But, unfortunately, there isn’t a way to do it, without starting over. So, until the time that an option is available to solve this issue, today’s quick tip will give you a solution to make sure that you don’t get stuck in the dead end, having to delete your objects and/or starting over again.

Steps to creating your own template…

• In the filter list, ‘Insert’ a new filter.
• Select advanced filter type.
• Fill in the name (I recommend starting it with … or something similar to assure that it appears at the top of your filter list (example: …Starter Template)) and description (if you wish).
• In the advanced filter window, ‘And’ an ‘address’ object, and use the IP address of 0.0.0.0
• Negate the address, with the ‘NOT’ button.

Click on thumbnail for larger view

Click on thumbnail for larger view

From now on, anytime you start a new advanced filter, start it by copying the Starter template, renaming it and adding additional objects. Then, when you are completed creating all your filter specifics, you can delete the placeholder of the IP address 0.0.0.0. But, during the creation process, you now have a way to enter objects at the front of your filter, if the need arises, and you will never be caught in the dead end again.