Service objects

This topic describes how to manage service objects in AppViz.

View a service object

To view a service object:

  1. In AppViz, from the main menu on the left, click SERVICE OBJECTS.


    The Service Objects page appears on the left with details about the most recent service object in the workspace.


    The Service Objects menu appears on the left.

    The icon next to each service object indicates the object type.

    . A single service.

    . A group or range of services.

  2. Do one of the following:

    • Select a service object from the list of recent objects.
    • Perform a simple search for a service object. Type any part of the service object's name in the search box, and click . The matching objects appear below the search box. Select a service object from the list.

The service object appears in the workspace with the Dashboard tab displayed.

Tip: To return to the other areas available from the main menu, click the hamburger menu at the top left, and select the page you want to navigate to.

Add a service object

To add a service object:

  1. Go to the Service Objects area.

  2. Click +New Service Object.

    The New Service Object form appears in the workspace.

  3. Complete the fields as follows:

    Name

    Type the name of the service object.

    Protocol

    Type the protocol of the service.

    Port

    Type the Port of the service.

    + Add new service item

    Click this link to add an additional service to the service object. Another line with Protocol and Port fields appears to define the service.

    Click this icon to delete the service.
  4. Click Save Changes. Click OK.

The service object is created, and the DASHBOARD tab for the new service object appears.

Service object DASHBOARD

The DASHBOARD tab provides the ability to:

  • Quickly and easily view a summary of a service object's history and basic information.
  • View a service object's contents and containing objects.
  • Edit the service object, delete the service object, or create a new service object with the same contents.
  • Edit service object information.

Area

Description

Revision Information

This area displays the following information about the network object you are viewing:

  • Created on. The date the object was created in AppViz.

  • Last Updated. The date the object was last updated.

  • Origin. Where the object was created. One of the following options:

    • AppViz Object
    • Imported. This includes objects created via the API.
    • Device Object
  • Last change Initiated by. How the object's current revision was initiated. The options for this field are the same as for the Origin field.
  • Devices. The devices the object is defined on.

Note: This field only appears for objects currently defined on devices. AppViz will keep a device object alive after it is deleted from its devices if the object is being used in an application.

Object Change Status

Service objects may have one of the following change statuses:

  • In Change Process. The object's definition in AppViz has been updated, and the FireFlow change request to modify the relevant traffic is pending.

    When an object has this change status, appears in the upper right corner of its page. Additionally, appears on the object's icon in any application flows or discovery processes.

    Note: Objects in change process cannot be edited, used in projects or included in discovery from traffic logs. They can be used in flows.

  • Rejected. The object was in change process, and its FireFlow change request was rejected.

    When an object has this change status, appears in the upper right corner of its page. Additionally,  appears on the object's icon in any application flows or discovery processes.

Note: Objects with the Rejected change status cannot be edited, included in discovery from traffic logs or used in flows.

Note: Some service objects may have a notification that is not related to change status, but because it is in one of the following problematic scenarios:

  • Objects with invalid content. A service object with invalid content includes both TCP/UDP protocols and non-TCP/UDP protocols. When this is the case,  appears in the upper right corner of its page.AppViz does not allow adding invalid content to a service, but it is possible for invalid content to be imported.. You cannot edit a service object with invalid content without resolving the problem.
  • Objects with outdated revisions being used in applications. When this is the case,  appears in the upper right corner of its page and appears on the object's icon in any application flows using the outdated revision. This situation can only occur as the result of an import when the Do not update the affected applications automatically option is chosen. For more details, see AppViz maintenance.

Actions

This area provides the option to:

  • Edit. This action allows you to edit the service object. A change request opens in FireFlow to adjust traffic for the new object definition.

    You cannot edit service objects if they are in use by an application for which you do not have permissions or if they are in use by an application in the Pending Implementation status.

  • Clone. This action creates a new service object with the same contents.

  • Delete. This action deletes the service object.

    You cannot delete the following objects:

    • Device Objects
    • Objects that are in use by an application

  • Update Applications. This action updates all the applications using the object to the current revision of the object. The outdated object is replaced with the current object, and a change requests opens in FireFlow to adjust the traffic requirements. For more details, see AppViz maintenance.

    This action is only relevant for objects which were edited, and the applications using the object were not updated with the new revision of the object.

  • Discard Object. This action discards the revision of the object. A change request opens in FireFlow to adjust traffic for the previous object definition.

    Note: This is action is only relevant for Rejected objects.

  • Re-apply Object. This action re-applies the new revision of the object. Use this action after further modifying a rejected object. A change request opens in FireFlow to adjust traffic for the new object definition.

    Note: This is action is only relevant for Rejected objects.

  • Update from Device. This action updates the definition of a device object. For more details, see Device objects.

For details, see Manage network / service objects and Application dashboard.

Note: When a FireFlow change request is created as the result of an object action, the subject of the change request signifies the object. For more details, see Customize interactions with AFA and FireFlow.

Object Content

The Contents of the service object.

General Information

This area displays custom fields for the object. For more details, see Custom fields.

Service object applications

The service object APPLICATIONS tab lists all applications which contain the service object.

When there are applications using an old revision of the object, these applications are listed separately. When an application is in the pending decommission status, the application appears grayed out.

To view the flows that contain the service object, click next to the application name.

For more details, see Business applications.

Service object change requests

The Change Requests tab displays details for all FireFlow change requests that have been created for the service object.