Configuration Manager at a Glance

Valuemation Configuration Manager enables you to compare the internal Valuemation inventory data with reality based on scanned results of external systems. System management applications connected to Valuemation are able to determine which components have been installed in the scanned systems. The result of such scan processes is then compared with records registered in Valuemation. Since Valuemation and Systems Management applications are independent and their data models are likely to differ, the Configuration Manager has to be used to define a general interface facilitating the comparison of corresponding records and components, and their attributes. The resulting list of differences can be used as a Configuration Audit Report.

The CIC interface (Common Inventory Connector) integrates information from Systems Management applications into Valuemation. The data transfer from external discovery and inventory tools (like BDNA or RayVentory) is supported by Valuemation Enterprise Integrator. This process involves two steps:

• Data Federation

  Data from the distributed sources are consolidated into one source. Overall relations of domains and components can be analyzed and depicted. Core information is transfered to the CMDB, other information is kept in the original sources for indirect access.

  

• Data Reconciliation

  The federated CMDB contains data from mixed sources. It is necessary to ensure that specific configuration items are represented in the CMDB only once and with correct configuration. Duplicates have to be recognized and removed and correct relations between configuration items verified and re-established.

  

• Configuration Items Verification

  The compare functionality of the Configuration Manager can be instrumental in verification that correct and authorized versions of configuration items are used.