Config/Change integration

[mnp123]

Is relationship defined in CMDB should be under the Change control or not? e.g I have a switch (CI #1) and 50 servers are connected to it (CI #2 ... 51). Let's say if I am moving CI #3 to new switch in my opinion relationship is changing and not the CI. Should it be under Change Control?

[Mark-OLoughlin]

Hi,

change management is about control. If you don't "control" your CI relationships so that they are up to date - they why bother as you will only ever have out of date and inaccurate Ci relationships.

In your case the physical CI is not changing but what it is conencted to is and in my mind this should be under change control and within your change process you should have a mechanisim to ensure that the CI relationships are updated.

Due to complexity and overhead I try not to manage CI relationships below switches i.e. dont manage PC to Switch relationships. Manage the relationship of the network kit via change management.
_________________
Mark O'Loughlin
ITSM / ITIL Consultant

[mnp123]

Mark, Thanks for the clarification. I was also thinking along the same line but when we start thinking about the software layer there is added complexity to maintain relationship. Are companies maintaining relationship through Change process for software layer or use Auto Discovery tool?

[Ed]

There is, in my mind, no way that a change to the connections of kit should not be covered by Change Management.

To clarify - if you Change where or how one piece if kit is connected to another, then a Change has taken place - An RFC and Release is required!

For example, if I had a switch in Coventry connected to a server based in Coventry and then moved the Server to Dublin, Change Management documentation will be required even though the Server is connected to the same switch

Regards

Ed

[Mark-OLoughlin]

Yes - at the network layer you defintly need to have those under CM and also the relationships should be updated as part fo that CM process.
_________________
Mark O'Loughlin
ITSM / ITIL Consultant

[Azard]

Hi, I would just like to add that anything that is within your CMDB, IS under the control of Change Management. The CMDB has many uses, and relationships are a big part of it. Being able to go back to the Business and say, if we change A, the impact will be…. certainly lends credibility to the IT organization.

This type of information makes for better decisions and will aid in the future planning. If you are questioning if an item should be under Change Control, I would stop and ask myself a few questions:

- is there a business need to track this
- how will I keep the information up to date
- how does this potential CI affect or impact my business.

cheers
_________________
Azard Omardeen
ITSM Service Manager Certified
Consultant and Trainer