Virtual Configuration Item Management for CMDB Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current configuration management systems face complexity in managing a large number of configuration items, such as industrial devices and electric home appliances, due to the numerous attributes and relationships that need to be tracked and updated, making it difficult to efficiently discover and track information across distributed networks.
Innovation Solution
A computer system and method that combines multiple configuration items into a virtual configuration item, allowing them to be managed as a single entity by detecting information using a discovery section, creating new data sets, and storing them in a repository like a CMDB, which simplifies the management process by reducing the number of items and attributes to be tracked.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If multiple configuration items are managed individually with separate attributes and relationships, then detailed tracking information is maintained, but the complexity of management increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple configuration items into a single virtual configuration item that represents a logical grouping. This virtual CI consolidates attributes and relationships from individual CIs, reducing management complexity while preserving tracking information through the virtualization layer. The virtual CI acts as an abstraction that maintains detailed information without requiring manual management of each individual component.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual configuration item serves multiple functions simultaneously: it represents a logical grouping of CIs, maintains detailed attribute tracking, provides a simplified management interface, and enables hierarchical organization. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by allowing the same structure to both simplify management and preserve detailed information.
2Loss of information
If all configuration items and their attributes are discovered and tracked in detail, then complete configuration information is available, but the time and resources required for discovery and updates increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments configuration management into hierarchical levels: individual CIs, virtual CIs representing logical groupings, and higher-level abstractions. This segmentation allows discovery processes to operate at appropriate granularities, reducing the time required to discover and track information while maintaining complete configuration data through the hierarchical structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a virtualization dimension that adds an abstraction layer between physical CIs and management processes. This dimensional change allows configuration information to be tracked in detail without requiring proportional time investment, as the virtual layer provides automated aggregation and management capabilities.
3Productivity
If the number of configuration items to be managed is reduced by combining them, then management efficiency improves, but the ability to track individual item details may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where virtual configuration items contain references to individual CIs, which themselves contain detailed attributes. This nesting allows management efficiency to improve at the virtual CI level while individual item details are preserved within the nested structure, accessible when needed without compromising overall management productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a method for managing a plurality of configuration items that includes a repository that holds, for each configuration item, one set of data indicating at least one predetermined attribute of the configuration item and a relationship with another configuration item and a discovery section that detects information on configuration items. The method includes creating at least one new set of data from information detected by the discovery section. The method also includes storing the new set of data in the repository and managing the new set of data as a combined configuration item.