Best practice is to define a naming standard that can be used universally. For example:
Class_AssetTag = ComputerSystem_1234 Taking ComputerSystems, Ideally the name should not use serial number as that is not unique, rather use the name given to the computer which many organisations duplicate as the AssetTag. The key thing is that the Asset Tag is unique. If I were implementing CMDB in your organisation I’d be going back to basics in order to define what the Configuration Management process is. There is nothing wrong with renaming an asset per se, however this should be carefully managed to ensure the CMDB is correctly updated with new relationships and attributes. If you were using discovery tools then a duplicate could be created where a match on name was not found, however as you are manually managing your data you may find that issue does not arise, if strict procedures are put in place. Without a proper process your data is not going to be controlled, and that is one of the main reasons for using a CMDB. My personal view is with you, to enable control it is much easier to define the name of the device to match an asset tag which is applied to the CI from the outset, and if the CI is ever rebuilt and reused it keeps the same tag. Caveat – I’m referring to physical CIs, a different approach is sometimes defined for logical and software CIs. Matt From: Action Request System discussion list(ARSList) [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Kathy Morris Sent: 29 October 2008 20:42 To: [email protected] Subject: Re: CI Name Format ** Hi, Unfortunately there is not a process for transferring the asset - they believe they can just give the asset a different name. We are updating CI's manually. Can the CI name be the asset tag number? I could not find the CI naming convention in the Malcom Fry book either. -----Original Message----- From: Matt Worsdell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Sent: Wed, 29 Oct 2008 3:29 pm Subject: Re: CI Name Format ** Kathy This can be a minefield, can you tell us all how you are updating CIs, through AIE automatically or manual process? And also what is the process around “transferring” an Asset. Matt From: Action Request System discussion list(ARSList) [ <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Kathy Morris Sent: 29 October 2008 15:55 To: <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected] Subject: CI Name Format ** Hi, We have a requirement to enter CI Names into Asset Managemen tthat are subject to change each time the asset is transferred. The team also wants to have the CI Name equal to the unique name of the asset tag. I am not for this method - however I was wondering has anybody tried this type of methodology. Also, what your thoughts are regaring the CI Name. My understanding is that the CI Name is used in the CMDB to identify assets so if the asset tag is JMR452 - that's not much of a naming convention. And changing the CI Name everytime an asset is moved sounds like an administrative disaster. I recommended a fixed naming convention. Am I off base:? _____ McCain or Obama? Stay up to date on the latest from the campaign trail with <http://news.aol.com/elections?ncid=emlcntusnews00000001> AOL News. __Platinum Sponsor: <http://www.rmsportal.com/> www.rmsportal.com ARSlist: "Where the Answers Are" html___ __Platinum Sponsor: <http://www.rmsportal.com/> www.rmsportal.com ARSlist: "Where the Answers Are" html___ __Platinum Sponsor: www.rmsportal.com ARSlist: "Where the Answers Are" html___ _______________________________________________________________________________ UNSUBSCRIBE or access ARSlist Archives at www.arslist.org Platinum Sponsor: www.rmsportal.com ARSlist: "Where the Answers Are"
