Manage Naming Rules

Naming rules in Pathfinder are used to automatically generate correct names for new objects.

Select the manage naming rules option from the system section.

You can create naming rules to automatically assign component names.

Assign Naming Rules

Naming rules can be created to automatically assign names based on the defined format. In Pathfinder, naming rules can be created for most objects such as components, cables, ports and slots.

The naming rules are displayed here (1).

Check the box under the Active column (2) to enable the naming rule for all subsequent object instances.

You can create a new naming rules, delete an existing naming rule of import a new naming rule here (3).

You can double click on an existing naming rule to edit it or select an existing naming rule and click on Next.

Manage Naming Rules

Basic Properties

To create a new naming rule or edit an existing one, fill out the following fields:

Name: Assign a name to the rule.
Description: Write a short description about the rule.
Check the box the activate the rule. You can activate or deactivate it again from the overview window when the rule is complete.
Is limited to: Assign a component or location for which the rule is designated.
Is constrained to: Assign the exact type of component or location for which the rule is designated.

Click on Next to continue.

Creating Formats

Here you can define the format for your naming rule.

You can add or delete elements and assign the sequence of elements for the naming format here (1). Click on element to open the drop down menu. You can select the element type here.
You can edit the fields for your elements here (2). Depending on the element, different fields will be available in its properties.
A preview of names according to the rule will be displayed here (3).

Click on Finish to complete creating the naming rule for new object instances.

List of Elements

Name	restricted to	Description
Counter		A numeric counter with various options
Continuous letter		An alphabetical counter with various options
Lookup values		User defined selection of lookup values
Free text		Free static text
User		The current user
User group		The current user’s group
Today’s date		The system date
Location	Components	Location in which the object is located
Building	Components	Building in which the object is located
Floor	Components	Floor in which the object is located
Room	Components	Room in which the object is located
Room Number	Components	Number of the room in which the object is located
Catalog Name	Components	Name of the component definition the object is based on
Default name for instances	Components	Default instance name of the component definition
Bay Position	Components	Rack bay in which the object is located
Layer Number	Components	Rack layer on which the object is located
Slot position	Components	Rack unit in which the object is located
Slot number	Components	Number of the slot in which the object is located
Slot name	Components	Name of the slot in which the object is located
Path	Components	Full path to the object
Parent object	Components	Name of the parent object
Unique Id		A unique numeric ID with various options
Consecutive numbering	Data outlets	Consecutive numbering for data outlets within the same room
Opposite distributor	Patch panels, Data outlets	Distributor to which the object is connected
Line Type	Installation Cables	The object’s line type
Start Location	Cables	The object’s start location
Destination Location	Cables	The object’s destination location
Start Building	Cables	The object’s start building
Destination Building	Cables	The object’s destination building
Start Floor	Cables	The object’s start floor
Destination Floor	Cables	The object’s destination floor
Start Room	Cables	The object’s start room
Destination Room	Cables	The object’s destination room
Start Component	Patch Cables	The object’s start component
Destination Component	Patch Cables	The object’s destination component
Start Port	Patch Cables	The object’s start port
Destination Port	Patch Cables	The object’s destination port
Cable properties	Cables	A selection of cable properties including cable definition name, default instance name and cable length
Network path	Network Paths	Displays the component or port on either side of the network path. Combine multiple network path elements to display both sides
Port numbering	Ports in modules	The numbering of ports in several modules on a carrier
Number	Ports	Number of the port