6.2 Relationships

Relationships can be defined between Configuration Items of the CMDB to create a Service Catalog. The Catalog allows Users to assess the impact of a request on the organization. To build a Catalog, the Relationships are defined within the properties of a Configuration Item within Configuration Management.

To assist with the building of a CMDB, the Administrator refines the list of Relationship Types available for the Supervisor.

6.2.1 Edit or Create Relationship Types

To edit or create a Relationship Type:

  1. Select CMS>Relationships

    The Relationship Types screen appears.

  2. To edit, click on the Relationship, or, to create a Relationship click New

  3. Select the Relationship Class

  4. Enter a Name for the relationship

  5. Define the Service Oriented and Component Oriented labels

  6. Relationship Types

     

    Relationship

     

    Class

    Select either a Hierarchical or Connection Class.

    Hierarchical describes ownership, such as a Parent/Child relationship, for example, an operating system hosting an application.

    Connection defines a connection association. For example, an application accessing a database.

    Name

    Enter a Name that reflects the nature of the relationship for both Component or Service views. For example, component view Name = Deployed in/Host of.

    Labels

    Each Relationship between Items can be described from a Service Oriented or Component Oriented view.

    Service Oriented

    (Parent-Child)

    A Service Oriented view describes relationships top-down with the Service at the top. For example, the Service Email Provision, would be at the top level with relationships between Configuration Items described, ending at an individual User.

    Component Oriented

    (Child-Parent)

    A Component Oriented view starts from the bottom up, with the Service being the top layer.

    Inherit Parent Ownership

    When this option is enabled, Child Items that use this Relationship Type will inherit the Parent Item's owners.

    Inherit Cost

    When this option is enabled, Child Items that use this Relationship Type will inherit the costs associated with Parent Item.

  7. Click Save. Sample Relationship Labels

  8. Relationship Class

    Relationship Name

    Current Item

    Relationship Label

    Related Item

    Service

    Host of/Installed on

    Application

    is host of

    Server

    Component

    Host of/Installed on

    Application

    is installed on

    Server

6.2.2 Delete a Relationship Type

To remove an entry on the Relationship Type list:

  1. Select CMS>Relationships

    The Relationship Types screen appears.

  2. Click on the Relationship link that is to be deleted

  3. Select the Delete button

    A warning message is displayed.

  4. Click OK in the warning message.