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26
Using resource types
About resource association types
About resource association types
Resource type relationships
A resource association type defines a child (to) to parents (from) relationship
between one resource type to one or more resource types. This association lets
child resources be linked to a parent resource. For example, a computer monitor
can be associated with a computer. A cell phone can be associated with a user. A
lease can be associated with several pieces of equipment. Associations make it
easier for you to keep track of and to find data about related resources.
Resource associations are used to create organizational groups and views.
After a resource association type is created, a field is added to the child resource.
The field lets you select a resource or resources of the type that the parent in the
resource association type specifies. For example you can create a resource
association type that links the Monitor resource type to the Computer resource
type. The Monitor resource type includes a field that lets you select the computer
that is associated with the monitor.
CMDB Solution includes numerous predefined resource association types, and
you can also create your own.
See
About the resource association type page"
Understanding the relationships between various resource types, especially the
crucial organizational resource types, helps you understand dependencies within
the Configuration Management Database. Not all resource types can be directly
associated with each other, but most can be indirectly associated with each other.
Relationships are useful for reporting purposes. For example, a computer asset
is associated with a user and the user is associated with a department. Although
the asset cannot be directly associated with the department, the asset is reported
as one of the department's assets. CMDB Solution creates an indirect relationship
between the user and the department.
The following table shows direct resource type relationships. The Resource type
column is the child (from) and the Direct relationship column is the parent (to).
Direct relationships of resource types
Table 3-4
Resource type
Asset
Company
Cost Center
Direct relationship
Cost Center, Location, User, Department, and Asset
Creates no direct associations
Location and Manager (User)
on page 51.
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