ashutoshsrivastava17 Configuration Management
Process
Step 1: Define CMDB Scope
| CI Type | Examples | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Infrastructure | Servers, VMs, containers, network devices | High |
| Applications | Services, databases, middleware | High |
| Endpoints | Laptops, mobile devices | Medium |
| Cloud resources | Instances, storage, networking | High |
| Licenses | Software licenses, SaaS subscriptions | Medium |
Step 2: Design CI Schema
| Attribute | Required For |
|---|---|
| CI ID | All (unique identifier) |
| Name | All |
| Type/Class | All |
| Owner | All |
| Environment | Servers, Applications |
| Dependencies | Applications, Services |
| SLA tier | Services |
| Cost center | All |
Step 3: Map Relationships
| Relationship | From → To | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Runs on | Application → Server | Impact analysis |
| Depends on | Service → Service | Dependency chain |
| Managed by | CI → Team | Ownership |
| Licensed by | Application → License | Compliance |
Step 4: Automate Discovery
| Method | What It Finds |
|---|---|
| Agent-based | Installed software, hardware config |
| Network scan | Connected devices, open ports |
| Cloud API | Cloud resources, tags, relationships |
| Service mesh | Service dependencies, traffic patterns |
Step 5: Enable Impact Analysis
When a change is proposed:
- Identify affected CI
- Traverse dependency graph
- List all downstream services/users impacted
- Calculate risk score based on CI criticality
Step 6: Maintain Data Quality
| Check | Frequency | Target |
|---|---|---|
| Completeness | Monthly | > 95% required fields populated |
| Accuracy | Quarterly | > 90% match reality (spot check) |
| Freshness | Monthly | > 90% updated within 30 days |
| Orphan CIs | Monthly | < 5% CIs with no relationships |
Output Format
## CMDB Design: [Scope]
### CI Types: [table with schema]
### Relationships: [dependency model]
### Discovery: [automation approach]
### Quality: [metrics and targets]
Quality Checklist
- CI types cover critical infrastructure and applications
- Relationships enable impact analysis
- Discovery automation reduces manual maintenance
- Data quality metrics are tracked
- Change management integrates with CMDB
Edge Cases
- For cloud-native environments, treat infrastructure as ephemeral
- If starting from scratch, focus on critical services first
- For hybrid environments, ensure cross-platform visibility