Configuration Management Database

What is a configuration management database? 

A configuration management database (CMDB) is a centralized system that organizes information and keeps track of the IT ecosystem. It helps you understand the kind of relationship between different equipment, software, systems and networks for better usage and configuration management.  

The benefits of configuration management database include: - 

• Keeps IT assets organized in one place. 
• Streamlines IT management processes. 
• Ensures precise tracking of assets. 
• Provides clear visibility of asset relationships. 
• Enhances control over IT changes. 
• Protects sensitive configuration data. 
• Adapts to growing asset inventories. 

What are the characteristics of configuration management database? 

Now that you understand what CMDB is, let's understand its characteristics: - 

1. Dashboard metrics track the health of configuration items (CIs), their relationships, the impact of changes, incident patterns and the costs associated with maintaining services. 
2. Compliance records maintain detailed records that offer auditors visibility into the current and historical states of CIs which include changes, incidents, checks and balances. 
3. CI creation & updates facilitate the creation and updates of CIs through three methods: manual input, integration via APIs (e.g., SCCM) and automated discovery tools.  
4. Federated data handling supports federated data sets by normalizing and reconciling CIs and their associated data.  
5. IT service mapping visualizes relationships and dependencies between IT services through graphical illustrations.  
6. Access controls allow administrators to assign different levels of access to individuals or teams based on their roles and responsibilities.