Relationship Map - CMDB

Relationship Map - CMDB

A relationship map provides a visual display of the relationships between a base CI and other (related) CIs. The relationships between the CIs are discovered automatically while populating the CIs into the CMDB.

Using relationship map, you can analyze the impact caused by the CI on a business service.

You can view, add, and manage relationships visually from the Relationships tab in CMDB details page or by clicking icon.

Components of a Relationship Map

A relationship map is composed of nodes and their connections. The nodes are represented using a parent-child structure. In the context of this guide, nodes are referred to as CIs and the connections are referred to as CI relationships.

The 3 basic components of a relationship map are:
  1. The base CI: The CI from which the map begins and for which the relationships are defined.
  2. The related CIs: All CI(s) extending from the base CI. The related CIs are depicted using a parent-child structure.
  3. The CI relationships: The relationship between CIs is displayed on the relationship arrows. The relationships can be direct or inverse.
    1. Direct relationships: The relationship between a parent CI and a child CI.
    2. Inverse relationships: The relationship between a child CI and a parent CI.

Icons and Uses

- To create a new CI under a CI Type. Clicking this icon takes you to the Add New CI form.
- To view CIs under a CI Type.
- To view the relationship map for a CI Type. The relationship map holds the default relationships configured for the CI Type.
- To view the selected relationship view in a separate window.

Relationship Map Views

You can view a relationship map in three different views:
  1. List View - Related CIs are grouped based on their relationship type and displayed as a list.
  2. Tree View - CIs are mapped in a left-to-right tree structure starting with the base CI.
  3. Cluster Layout - Related CIs are clustered around the base CI. This is the only customizable map view where you can reposition the CI nodes as needed.

Add Relationship

You can add more CI relationships besides the existing ones.
  1. Click Add Relationship.
    1. In tree view, you can hover a CI and click Add Relationship.
    2. In cluster view, you can hover a CI and click %.
  2. Define the relationship by selecting one of the options:
    1. Choose Relationship - Select a predefined relationship and an asset/CI to be related to.
    2. Search other CIs to Create Relationships - Create a custom relationship with another asset/CI by selecting the relationship type.
  3. Click Add.
View CI Details
Click the CI name. A pop-up window opens displaying the basic configuration details of the CI.
  1. In list view/cluster view, click the CI name.
  2. In tree view, hover a CI and click View CI details.
 
This is a read-only view and you cannot modify any details.  

Remove Relationship

You can remove relationships only from the list view. Select the relationships to remove and click Delete.

Sample Relationship Map

Hover over a related CI to expand the relationships displayed. This expanded view will collapse automatically on exiting the relationship map.
Click to view the selected relationship map in a separate window.

On adding relationships between CIs created from assets, the corresponding assets will also be updated.


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