Role required: cmdb_manager.
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 picture below illustrates the CMDB structure.
The CMDB collects and stores the following items as configuration records:
- CMDB Classes - groups of CIs based on their parameters.
- CMDB Models - composite templates of CI parameters.
- Configuration Items - IT Services and their components required for service delivery.
Add a new CMDB class
Classes are logical combinations of CIs with similar functions, parameters, and characteristics. Class attributes are the collections of the 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:
- Navigate CMDB → CMDB Class.
- Click New and fill in the fields.
- Click Save or Save and Exit to apply the changes.
CMDB Class form fields
| Field | Mandatory | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Y | Specify a name for the CMDB class. |
| Description | N | Add a detailed description of the class. |
Parent CMDB class | N | Define a parent class for this class. You can only choose classes that are higher in the hierarchy or are not in the hierarchy. |
| Icon | N | Add an icon for the class. |
After the class record is saved, two actions become available on the form:
- Create model attribute – opens a window where you can create model attributes.
- Create CI attribute – opens a window where you can create CI attributes.
New model attribute form fields
| Field | Mandatory | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Attribute Type | Y | Specify an attribute type. |
| Title | Y | Specify the attribute title. |
| Active | N | Select the checkbox to make the attribute active or inactive. |
| Mandatory | N | Select the checkbox to make the attribute field mandatory. |
| Default value | N | Define the default value for the attribute. |
| Reference | Y | Specify a table with the values you need. The field appears when the List or Reference option is selected in the Column Type field. |
| Reference Qualifier Type | N | Specify the type of the reference qualifier. Available options:
The field appears when the List or Reference option is selected in the Column Type field. |
| Reference Qualifier Condition | N | Configure filters using the Condition Builder. The field appears when the Simple option is selected in the Reference Qualifier Type field. |
| Dynamic Reference Qualifier | N | Select the dynamic reference qualifier from the list. The field appears when the Dynamic option is selected in the Reference Qualifier Type field. |
| Reference Qualifier Fixed | N | Select the checkbox to fix filters in breadcrumbs. This functionality will block using the Condition Builder functionality. The field appears when the List or Reference option is selected in the Column Type field. |
| Choice Table | N | Reference to a table. The field appears when the Choice option is selected in the Column Type field. |
| Choice Field | Y | Reference to a particular column of the table specified in the Choice Table field. The field appears when the Choice Table field is populated. |
| Choice Type | Y | Define whether the None option is applicable for the field. Available options:
If the Dropdown without --None-- is chosen, the Default value field becomes mandatory. The field appears when the Choice option is selected in the Column Type field. |
| Extra Attributes | N | Specify additional configurations for the field. For example, enter the text below to apply radio buttons style to the choice field: choice_decorator=radio The field appears when the Choice option is selected in the Column Type field. |
| Maximum Length | N | Specify a maximum value length for the column. The value length cannot exceed the allowable length for the specified data type. The field appears when the String, Text, or URL option is selected in the Column Type field. |
The CMDB view defines the form layout that differs from the usual REM attribute form.
If you decide to create an attribute record via the form of the Attributes (sys_re_attribute) table, please keep in mind that the form view should be the Default one. Refer to the Configuring attributes to learn more.
In the Related Lists area, you can see models, CIs, model attributes, CI attributes, and child classes related to the record.
If you need to set up choice options for a created attribute, you should go to the attribute record and create choice options in the Related Lists area.
CMDB Model
Models are compound templates of CI parameters. They define specific CIs features. Each class has its list of models.
For CMDB models, the Record Extended Model is used. Attribute values of 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, please complete the steps below:
- Navigate CMDB → CMDB Model.
- Click New and fill in the fields.
- Click Save or Save and Exit to apply changes.
As a result, the model is created. The model's name consists of the Vendor field value and the Identifier field value.
The CI tab displays all related CIs to the model record in the Related Lists area.
Configuration Item
Create, identify, configure, and manage your CIs and their parameters within the Configuration Items (sys_cmdb_ci) table. The table records keep detailed information about CIs such as a set of attributes with their values, CIs characteristics, model attributes.
To add a new Configuration Item, please complete the steps below:
- Navigate to the CMDB → Configuration Items.
- Click New and fill in the fields.
Click Save or Save and Exit to apply changes.
