Configuration Management is the process and system framed by two prevailing principles:
- A configuration item is an IT asset that would fall under Change Management for configuration changes.
- A configuration item is an IT asset that can be versioned, providing a historical view of the configuration changes that have occurred.
Configuration Items are managed within the Configuration Management Database (CMDB) and controlled via Change Management from the point of introducing them into the IT environment to the point of decommission. CI types that are currently managed in the tool are as follows:
- Cluster: Identifies multiple servers linked together to handle variable workloads or if one or more devices fail, to provide continued operation.
- Document: Identifies printed or electronically stored text which is human readable.
- Facilities: Identifies equipment, furnishings, and power supplies used to provide continuous datacenter operations.
- Hardware: Identifies physical hardware components used to support the delivery of IT operations.
- Network: Identifies physical network components used to support the delivery of IT operations.
- Security: Identifies systems that protect data, software, and hardware against unauthorized access or manipulation.
- Service: Identifies people, processes, and technology that provide outputs and results to enable business capabilities and outcomes.
- Software: Identifies a collection of offsite and on-prem applications, databases, and websites used to support the delivery of IT operations.
- Telecom: Identifies receivers, transmitters, multi-plexed connections supporting multiple voice lines, and wireless devices.