Configuration Manager Content Workflow

This task describes the workflow for managing Configuration Manager content.

1. Prerequisites

   Start by examining a view in UCMDB. Consider the purpose of the view and how you want to display the data in composite CIs.

2. Define the CI Composition

   When you have decided on rules for the scope of the composite CIs, edit the existing folding rule definitions for the relevant composite CIs. For details, see How to Set Folding Rules for Composite CIs.

   When Configuration Manager is started, or when the folding rules in Universal CMDB are modified, Configuration Manager automatically generates relevant perspectives in UCMDB based on the folding rules defined in Universal CMDB. These perspectives are located in the Configuration Manager - Do not change folder in the Resources pane of Modeling Studio.

   After defining your folding rules, go to the Explore Views module in Configuration Manager and verify that the view is appearing correctly according to the defined rules.

3. Define Layers and Classifications

   Consider the layers and classifications in which each composite CIT belongs. Set these definitions for the composite CITs using the layer and classification static attributes in the CI Type Manager in UCMDB. The colors of the layers and classifications are defined in Configuration Manager in Administration > Settings > Application Management > Topology Presentation > Topology Layout.

   Note It is not necessary to define layers and classifications for the component CITs.

4. Define Managed Attributes

   Decide which CI Type attributes of all CI types (both composite and component) should be defined as managed attributes. Set these definitions by selecting the Managed qualifier for the selected attributes in the CI Type Manager in UCMDB.

   It is recommended that key attributes of CITs be defined as managed attributes, unless they do not contain meaningful values for users (such as Root Container).

   Note Only managed attributes are visible in Configuration Manager and are copied to the authorized state of the view during authorization.

5. Define Comparable Attributes

   Decide which managed attributes of all CI types (both composite and component) should be defined as comparable. Comparable attributes are used for CI comparisons in Configuration Manager. Set these definitions by selecting the Comparable qualifier for the selected attributes in the CI Type Manager in UCMDB.

   For composite CITs, it is recommended that the key attributes not be defined as comparable. For component CITs, it is recommended that the key attributes be defined as comparable if they contain meaningful values for users.

6. Define Comparison Matching Rules

   You can define matching rules for the comparable attributes of certain CITs, which provide guidelines for the comparison between component CIs. A matching rule tells Configuration Manager which attribute to use in identifying parallel CIs for comparison.

   You can define multiple attributes in a CIT matching rule, with a different priority for each attribute (the primary attribute is used first, the secondary one next, and so on). The matching rules are defined in the CI Type Manager in Universal CMDB. You can access Universal CMDB from Configuration Manager.

   1. Click the Launch UCMDB button to open Universal CMDB.

   2. Navigate to Managers > Modeling > CI Type Manager.

   3. Select CI Types from the list box in the CI Types pane.

   4. In the right pane, click the Matching Rules tab.

   5. Define matching rules for attributes to determine which CIs should be compared. For details, see the Universal CMDB Modeling Guide.

      Note

      • Matching rules are not relevant for composite CITs.

      • Matching rules can only be defined for attributes defined as comparable.