Inactive Computer Cleanup

1

(imported topic written by jdefilip)

Is there a way to automatically remove computers from the Endpoint Dbase that have not reported in 60+ days?

Thank you!

2

(imported comment written by Tim.Rice)

Look at
BESComputerRemover

3

(imported comment written by jdefilip)

BESComputerRemover.exe
-D -P -E -I -L “C:\TEMP”

Will this work to delete duplicates, remove the data for deleted computers? Also, how would I set the batch file to remove computers that havent reported within 60+ days?

Thanks!

4

(imported comment written by Tim.Rice)

Taken directly from the page I linked to in the previous posting …

This tool will perform database operations for the following sets of data:

  • Duplicate Computers - Marks older computers as deleted if a computer exists with the same computer name.
  • NotReported Computers - Marks computers as deleted if there are no property results being reported and schedules a full refresh for the computer.
  • Expired Computers - Marks computers as deleted if they have not reported in recently.
  • Deleted Computers - Physically removes computer data from the database for computers that are already marked as deleted and have not reported in for a long period of time.

I use a batch file with the following line … BESComputerRemover-3.0.1.126.exe -f -l -L . -D -c -T 180 -t 90

  • It runs silently (-f)
  • Standard output goes to a log file (-l)
  • I specify the folder to create the logs in (-L)
  • It removes duplicate computers based on Computer Name. (-D)
  • It removes Computers that have not reported in 90 days. (-t)
  • It purges Computer data for computers that have not reported for 180 days. (-T)
  • I don’t want the tool to waste time counting the rows it will delete. (-c)

All of the optional arguments are spelled out on the page.

  • -h : Displays this help message
  • -? : Displays this help message
  • -help : Displays help message for installing this tool as a service.
  • -f : Runs in silent mode. No standard output and script runs automatically to completion.
  • -l : Sends standard out to logfile created in the directory of this application with name BESComputerRemover.log
  • -L : Specify a folder to create logs in. Do not include a file name.
  • -d : Used to specify a DSN to connect to the BES Database with. Defaults to bes_bfenterprise if not specified
  • -u : Used to specify a username for SQL authentication to the database.
  • -p : Used to specify a password for SQL authentication to the database.
  • -A : Run all database cleaning operations.
  • -D : Mark Duplicate Computers as deleted. -N : Specify a text file with computer names to be deleted. -P : Use the specified retrieved property to find duplicate computers, like “Mac Address”. (Default “Computer Name”)
  • -n : Mark NotReported Computer as deleted.
  • -e : Mark Expired Computers as deleted.
  • -t : Specify the number of days after which an Expired Computer will be marked as deleted. (Default 30)
  • -E : Remove data from the database for Deleted Computers.
  • -T : Specify the number of days after which computers marked as deleted will have their data removed. (Default 90)
  • -c : Do NOT count data before deleting.
  • -b : Performs database deletion operations in batches of this size. The tool will pause between batches until the user presses a key (unless run in silent mode with -f).
5

(imported comment written by jdefilip)

Thanks Tim!!

6

(imported comment written by Tim.Rice)

I should note that I recently added the -A option to the command line. It seems to have only been processing the first command.

7

(imported comment written by jdefilip)

BESComputerRemover-3.0.1.126.exe -A -f -l -L . -D -c -T 180 -t 90

8

(imported comment written by StacyLee)

We use for this 90 days and go with the MAC addresses property since it is common for us to have duplicate computer names.

BESComputerRemover-3.0.1.129.exe -f -l -D -P “MAC Addresses” -n -e -t 90 -E

9

(imported comment written by jdefilip)

I’m currently working with BES support to resolve the issue with this script to set the SQL username and password.

c:\BESComputerRemover\BESComputerRemover-3.0.1.129.exe -f -l -L . -D -c -T 180 -t 90

Has anyone had their script fail requiring credentials?

Thanks