Request to allow locally defined values for prop name="asset-type"

[telosBA]

Allowed values for prop name="asset-type" are currently restricted to the following values:

We have use cases in which inventory items will be created for flashdrives, printers, services (applications), laptops, handhelds, mobile (tablets and phones), thin clients, etc... Instead of grouping these items into a predefined asset-type, we are requesting that the prop supports locally defined values.

[GaryGapinski]

Note the must requisite reported in this issue as well as here.

This issue is an apt observation of an inappropriate restriction. It is neither possible nor desirable to attempt to itemize and constrain all manner of asset types found in contemporary information systems.

[aj-stein-nist]

So, if I understand your point, you mean that using @ns for custom asset-type props and NIST defensively controlling the default namespace is not desirable for all manner of asset types?

[GaryGapinski]

The NIST documentation disallows any (asset) types not enumerated in the NIST documentation. That seems inappropriate. The asset types provided are common but by no means comprehensive.

[aj-stein-nist]

Hi @telosBA, sorry I have not circled around to you (although I do enjoy Gary's feedback almost always): did I understand your question correctly? I believe you met with some NIST folk recently, was this topic covered and you are satisfied with how things work as-is (add with a custom ns on the prop) or you still want to advocate more for improvement? Let us know!

[GaryGapinski]

If using @ns allows other than the values specified, the XPath-like statement "ALLOWED VALUES for prop[@name='asset-type]/@value" lacks a predicate ([not(@ns)]) which would render it more precise. Similarly, the statement "The value must be one of the following:" could be augmented with "(unless @ns is employed)".

The related (for inventory-item — there is also one for component) constraint does not employ allow-other="yes". I am uncertain if the presence of @ns affects that constraint.