Partitions and namespaces in the data model

A namespace is a logical categorization system that enables you to partition the data model by prepending the namespace to classes and attributes. You can use namespaces to identify data. On the other hand, datasets enable you to partition instance data.

Example of a dataset and namespace
image2020-2-20_9-39-5.png

You can use namespaces for the following purposes:

  • Partitioning of classes and attributes based on provider or consumer of a type of data, or other arbitrary groupings.
    For example, all classes in Common Data Model are in the BMC.CORE namespace, and all other classes provided by BMC Helix CMDB containing configuration definitions are in the BMC.CORE.CONFIG namespace.
  • Labeling to identify classes that serve different purposes.
  • Creating of unique names for classes.
  • Providing logical categorization system for the data model.
  • Using namespaces in reconciliation definitions to include data that is stored for a particular purpose instead of lengthy qualifications.

Other BMC products that extend the data model, such as BMC Discovery, create their own namespaces to hold the new classes and attributes. Likewise, BMC extensions that are distributed independently of BMC products use their own namespaces. 

Tip

Namespaces can be applied at the attribute level as well as the class level. This means that some, or even all, of the attributes of a class can reside in a different namespace from the class itself. This is useful when you have a class that is used for more than one purpose, but one of those purposes requires an extra attribute. 

Best practice
Whenever you extend the data model, use your own namespace instead of BMC.CORE. This prevents your extensions from being overwritten by new classes when you upgrade to a future version of the CDM. When creating namespaces, use the naming convention COMPANYNAME.PURPOSE. For example, if the Calbro Services company created a set of classes for storing data about buildings and other facilities-related CIs, they might store them in the namespace CALBRO.FACILITIES.

Related topics

Creating-or-modifying-classes-by-using-Class-Manager

Common-class-attributes-you-can-define-in-Class-Manager

Namespaces-and-reconciliation

 

Tip: For faster searching, add an asterisk to the end of your partial query. Example: cert*