You can search for and import configuration item types into the asset management database as a way to filter data. You can view attributes, relationships, relationship rules, and classifications for configuration item types. You can also view configuration type instances for the configuration item types you import.
You use the discovery tool to find configuration items that exist in your information technology infrastructure.
You can use the settings in the discovery tool to specify the types of configuration items to search for. Some examples of configuration items include: computers, systems, routers, and switches. The discovered configuration items reside in the discovery tool database, including configuration item types.
You use Integration Composer and the IBM® Tivoli® Integration Adapter to import data from the discovery engine. You can import the data in two stages:
Configuration management and change control processes do not operate on actual configuration items. Instead, they operate as authorized configuration items which are items that conform to rules and relationships that you define in the Configuration Items application.
When you create an authorized configuration item, it can be linked to an actual configuration item record. You can also create an authorized configuration item that is independent of any actual configuration item record, because not all configuration items need to work with the discovery engine. You can create a link between the authorized configuration item and the actual configuration item in the Configuration Items and Actual Configuration Items applications.
You can create an authorized classification hierarchy that maps to an actual classification hierarchy. Partial mappings can exist between the two classifications, rather than a complete mirror image. You can use the Manage CI Hierarchies action in the Classifications application to define the configuration item hierarchies.