About configuration item association types

A configuration item association type (also known as a resource association type) lets you link resources for more convenient access to associated data. You can then easily track the data about related configuration items. A configuration item association type is a template for creating a child to parent relationship between configuration items. This association links child configuration items to a parent configuration item. You can associate a computer monitor with a computer, a cell phone with a user, and several pieces of equipment with a lease. For example, the Power to Network Resource association type represents a group of network resources that are directly connected to the power rather than covered by a backup power system (UPS).

When you create a configuration item association type, a new field appears in the child configuration item type. The field contains the list of configuration items that the parent configuration item type defines. You can associate any of them with the child configuration item type. For example, you can create a configuration item association type that links the Monitor configuration item type to the Computer configuration item type. The Monitor configuration item type includes the field with the list of computers that you can associate with the monitor.

CMDB Solution includes numerous predefined configuration item association types. You can also create custom configuration item association types.

You can access the CMDB configuration item association types from the Settings menu, at Notification Server > Resource and Data Class Settings > Resource Associations > CMDB Association Types.

See About configuration item associations.

See Tracking the associations of a configuration item.