Accessing external data through CMDB by using Federation

You can define a data store to represent a source of external data. For example, a data store can represent data from databases (retrieval type) or cross-launch links. You can use Federation Manager to federate external data through a data store, making that data available to view and query with BMC Helix CMDB tools, such as the CMDB Explorer.



Related topics

Retrieving-federated-data-stored-externally-by-creating-federated-classes

User-interface-overview

While critical configuration item (CI) data is stored in the CMDB, other data that is detailed and related to the CIs can be federated to an external data store. Federating non-critical data outside the CMDB includes the following benefits:

  • Reduced Data Duplication and Maintenance
  • Real-Time Access to Current Data
  • Improved CMDB Performance and Scalability


Scenario

Apex Global needs to store service and maintenance records of their printers in a Microsoft SQL database.

Allen Allbrook, a BMC Helix CMDB administrator at Apex Global, knows that only core data for a configuration item (CI) should be stored in BMC Helix CMDB. Detailed and related data for those CIs should be federated to help organize CIs and make BMC Helix CMDB more efficient.

Allen determines that the service and maintenance database stores information that is related to CIs in the CMDB, and makes that data available using the retrieval method of federation. The federated data is then available for viewing from within BMC Helix CMDB through CMDB Explorer.

For example, a data store can represent data from databases (retrieval type) or launch in context links. Allen uses the Federation Manager to federate external data through a data store, making that data available to view and query with BMC Helix CMDB tools, such as the CMDB Explorer.

Allen performs the following broad steps in the Federation Manager to make the data available to view and query in BMC Helix CMDB:

  1. Create a federated data store.
  2. Create a federated data class.
  3. Create a federated relationship.

Depending on what kind of data you want to configure to be available in the BMC Helix CMDB, you can use either the cross-launch or the retrieval method.

Task or concept 

Reference

Cross-launch method

Access data from a specified federated product by using cross-launch links.

Configuring access method to cross-launch CIs in BMC Discovery.

Retrieval method

High-level overview of the retrieval method

Before you create federated classes, you must first define plug-ins that can connect with the database containing federated data.

Retrieve information from external sources of data through plug-ins by creating federated classes.

Configuring the plug-in server for new federation plug-ins.

Federating to databases that are not JDBC-compliant.


 

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