Configuration Item
The term Configuration Item ( german) or configuration element is used in different contexts and has different meanings.
- Configuration Item (CI ) (English for configuration element ) is a term used in IT management. Search for IT Infrastructure Library [ ITIL ], it refers to all resources involved in the leading business processes. Examples of these are personal computers, peripherals, telephones, all network components, servers, installation documentation, procedures, IT services, software ( source code and executables ), tools.
- In the configuration management (ISO 10007:2003 ) is a configuration element part of a configuration that contains the functional and physical characteristics of a product.
Context in the ITIL
Management
The management of configuration items is for the configuration management which provides a management infrastructure available in addition to the processes necessary. An essential part of the infrastructure is the configuration elements database. ( eng.: Configuration Management Database ( CMDB) ).
CMDB as the database configuration elements
All configuration elements are stored in a central database. This is referred to in the ITIL CMDB language (Configuration Management Database ). The name implies the importance as a strategic element with cross- functional in other operational process areas. Because in addition to the properties of the so-called " assets " ( asset) and the relationships of the configuration items are stored with each other, extensive application possibilities are given. Relationships can be both physical and logical nature. For example, the installed software can be assigned to just about associations with a PC as the manufacturer of the PC itself or the supplier or an existing support contract as well as a case history of already existing problem cases with the device. These relationships are a crucial difference for asset management in the commercial or financial field.
Versioning
To prevent failures caused by inconsistent planned and tested prior to changes, important configuration elements are standardized in your configuration and versioned, and processes of change in each case held. This allows that one can in sudden onset recurrent disorders in which the element is involved, to track whether these are associated with a change. That is, the current operational state is described optimum current in its desired configuration and documented the necessary settings and application settings. Changes to the default setting ( eng.: Configuration Baseline ) are also recorded. Is documented in the case at least, what was changed, when, why, by whom, and who approved it.
Configuration elements in the IT incident management and problem management
Since configuration elements for the IT operations are essential elements that are the subject of IT monitoring (" Monitoring" ). This means that the functionality of the CIs is monitored. Due to the data stored in the CMDB relations ( relationships ) between the CIs can then in case of failure, the effect on other CIs and services (" Services") are derived. Misconduct is in English as " Incident" (see also Incident Management ) refers, often repetitive faults can be classified according to ITIL as a problem.
Relationships change management
Configuration elements belong to the basics of change management ( "Change Management "). They provide the necessary information as a basis for change by describing the item you want to change.
Context in the configuration management
Configuration management knows the concept of the configuration element with respect to the configuration of a product. The element is addressed in the various areas of the KMO - considered configuration audit - Configuration management organization and planning, AI - Configuration identification, CT - Monitoring configuration, the KB - Configuration accounting and the KA.