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The CMDB extension feature enables you to manage CIs: Add classes of CIs and equipment models specific to these classes to your CMDB structure. You can add special attributes to classes and models to define up-to-date information about assets and equipment.

The CMDB collects and stores the following items as configuration records:

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A A CI class is a logical combination of configuration items into groups based on similar purposes and equipment characteristics. A class can have child classes. A class is an a Record Extended Record Model (REM) that includes collections of attributes defined at the class level and derived from the class hierarchy. There are two types of attributes that can be set for classes: editable and non-editable. Editable attributes are set at the class level and can take individual values ​​for each class CI. Non-editable attributes are set at the level of the CI configuration model and do not change until the model itself changes.

A configuration model is a composite template of filled and non-editable attribute values ​​that are specific to certain CIs of the same class. The configuration model can be applied to various categories of CI, such as hardware and devices, software, and so on.

A configuration item is a component or a service asset that must be managed to provide the IT service. When using the extended CMDB structure, CIs always belong to a specific class and can have a related hardware model.

The picture below illustrates the CMDB structure. 

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Add a new CMDB class 

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class class

Classes are logical combinations of CIs with similar functions, parameters, and characteristics. Class attributes are the collections of the Record Extended Model (REM) attributes for the Configuration Items (sys_cmdb_ci) table. 

• One of the collections contains non-editable attributes − static for all CIs of a specific class.
• The other collection contains editable attributes, which can be changed during the CI exploitation.

To add a new class, perform the following steps:

1. Navigate CMDB → CMDB Class.
2. Click New and fill in the fields. 
3. Click Save or Save and Exit to apply the changes.

CMDB Class form fields

After the class record is saved, two actions become available on the form:

• Create model attribute – opens a window where you can create non-editable model attributes. Model attributes . of a parent class are inherited by its child classes. Attribute values are set on the model form.
  
• Create CI attribute – opens a window where you can create editable CI attributes. These attributes will be displayed only on the CI form and will be available for editing.

The created model attribute/CI attribute will appear on the Model Attributes/CI Attributes tab in the Related Lists area. In this area, you can also see models, CIs, and child classes related to the record. 

New model/CI attribute Attribute form fields

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Add a new CMDB model

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model model

Models are compound templates of CI parameters. They define specific CIs features. Each class has a list of models.

For CMDB models, the Record Extended Model (REM) is used. Attribute values of the REM are model parameters. Models include all non-editable attributes of collections from all class levels. The base values of model parameters are the default values of attribute collections and their constituents.

To create a model, complete the steps below:

1. Navigate CMDB → CMDB Model.
2. Click New and fill in the fields. 
3. Click Save or Save and Exit to apply the changes.

After the model record is created, its display name consists of the Vendor + Identifier values.

CMDB Model form fields

In the Related Lists area, the CI tab displays all CIs related to the created model record.

Create a CI

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ci ci

You can create, identify, configure, and manage your CIs and their parameters with the records in the Configuration Items (sys_cmdb_ci) table. These records contain detailed information such as the CI type, set of attributes with their values, and lists with the related records.

To add a new configuration item, complete the steps below:

1. Navigate to CMDB → Configuration Items.
2. Click New and fill in the fields.
3. Click Save or Save and Exit to apply the changes.

After the CI record is created, its display name consists of the CI number and the name of the related model.

Configuration item form fields