This topic describes parameters you specify when you create a meter.

Table 1. Software Meter Parameters

Field

Description

Meter name

Text description of the software to be metered.

Type

To meter a file you must know the name of the file or its hash (data signature). File Name meters are platform-specific and hash meters apply to all platforms.

A meter created directly from a File Details page automatically has that file’s SHA-256 Hash (if available) entered as the file identifier.

Platform

For file name meters, the platform (Windows, macOS, or Linux) for which the meter is in effect. File name meters can be used for one platform only.

(This field does not display for hash meters.)

File Name

File name (or path) to which this meter applies. If you provide just a file name, execution of that file in any location is metered. If you provide a path that ends in a file name, only executions of the file in the specified lpath are metered.

If the path you enter ends with a directory, the meter counts all executions in that directory and all of its subdirectories.

If you create a meter for a file name that does not currently exist, a message states that. You can still create the meter in advance of the file appearing on one of your systems.

Note:
  • For Windows paths, you can specify a local drive name (for example, C:\dir\subdir\application) or a UNC path (for example, \\dir\subdir\application). You cannot specify mapped drives (for example, Z:\application) for network access.
  • For all paths, you must use the correct directory delimiters for the platform you choose.
  • You can change platforms after a meter is created, but keep in mind that platform differences, such as directory delimiters and drive letters, might make a path invalid on a different platform.

Hash Type

Cipher algorithm used to create the hash to monitor (MD5, SHA-1, or SHA-256). Note that Carbon Black App Control returns SHA-256 hashes by default for Files or Find Files searches, but cross-references it so you can monitor, approve or ban by the other hash types. If you create a meter directly from a File Details page, that file’s SHA-256 Hash (if available) is used as the file identifier.

Hash Value

Hash (data signature) for the file.

Monitors file execution on computers even if the hash has not been previously identified. If you enter a hash from an external source, its execution is reported when first encountered on agents.

To locate hashes on your network, use the Files page or Find Files utilities. Note that you can create a meter directly from the File Details page for any file identified on the Carbon Black App Control Server.

Description

Optional text that further describes the metered file. To display this information, add the Description column to the Meters table.