Creating link rules

In the Link Rules application, you can create link rules to add to a reconciliation task. You can create link rule records from the List tab or from the Link Rule tab in the application.

About this task

A link rule is a required component of a reconciliation task; it establishes the basis of the comparison by identifying the top-level object and attribute in Data Set 1 to link to a specific attribute of the top-level object in Data Set 2.

Link rules are often based on unique identifiers. The attribute most commonly used to link assets and deployed assets is a serial number or asset tag. The attribute most commonly used to link configuration items (CIs) with actual CIs is ACTCINUM, the actual CI number.

You can add the link rules that you create to reconciliation tasks that you create in the Reconciliation Tasks application.

Procedure

  1. On the toolbar in the Link Rules application, click New Link Rule.
  2. In the Link field, enter the name that you want to assign to the link rule. This name must be unique.
  3. Optional: In the Description field, type a brief description of the link rule.
  4. In the Type of Reconciliation table window, in the Data Set 1 field, click Select Value and select the appropriate authorized data set. The application automatically populates the Data Set 2 field with the corresponding discovered data set. For example, if you select ASSET for Data Set 1, the application selects DEPLOYED ASSET for Data Set 2.
  5. To add a link rule clause, in the Link Clauses table window, click New Row.
  6. Optional: If you are creating multiple clauses, in the (... field (open parenthesis), enter an open parenthesis.
  7. In the Data Set 1 Object field, click Select Value and select an object for Data Set 1.
  8. If you selected ASSETSPEC (Asset Specification) or CISPEC (CI Specification) for the Data Set 1 Object field, in the Data Set 1 Class Structure field, click Select Value and select a class structure. The application displays the classification for the selected class structure in the Data Set 1 Classification field and a description in the Data Set 1 Class Structure Description field.
  9. In the Data Set 1 Attribute field, click Select Value and select an attribute. The values displayed in the Select Value window depend on the value that you selected for Data Set 1 Object in step 7. The value selected populates the Data Set 1 Attribute field, and the application displays the title of the attribute in the Data Set 1 Attribute Title field.
  10. In the Data Set 2 Object field, click Select Value and select an object.
  11. If you selected ACTCISPEC (Actual CI Specification) for the Data Set 2 Object field, in the Data Set 2 Class Structure field, click Select Value and select a class structure. The application displays the classification for the selected class structure in the Data Set 2 Classification field and a description in the Data Set 2 Class Structure Description field.
  12. In the Data Set 2 Attribute field, click Select Value and select an attribute. The values displayed in the Select Value window depend on the value that you selected for Data Set 2 Object in step 10. The value selected populates the Data Set 2 Attribute field, and the application displays the title of the asset attribute in the Data Set 2 Attribute Title field.
  13. Optional: If appropriate, in the ...) field (close parenthesis), enter a close parenthesis.
  14. Optional: If you are creating multiple link rule clauses, in the Sequence Operator field, click Select Value and specify the appropriate sequence operator.
  15. Optional: Repeat steps 5 through 14 to create additional link rule clauses.
  16. When you have entered all clauses, click Save Link Rule.


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