This documentation supports the 21.05 version of BMC Helix ITSM: Asset Management. To view an earlier version, select the version from the product version menu.

Creating a blackout schedule

You can create a blackout schedule either from BMC Helix ITSM: Asset Management or from BMC Helix ITSM: Change Management.

You use the blackout schedule to indicate:

  • Times when the current CI is unavailable for changes in BMC Change Management. During this time, a CI must not be brought down. For example, the server used by payroll might have a blackout schedule to indicate that the CI must not be affected by any changes during paycheck processing.
  • Scheduled outages during which the CI is available for maintenance and other changes. When a CI is available for changes, business services might be affected.

You use the Registration for Shared Time Segment form to create a blackout schedule. You can schedule a blackout to occur once or you can define a recurring schedule. Blackout schedules are stored in the Business Time Segment form. This form is also used by  BMC Helix ITSM: Change Management to help avoid scheduling any changes when a CI must be available.

You can use a one-time blackout schedule to indicate a nonrecurring interval when a CI must be available or is unavailable.

For example, at Calbro Services, a server is hosting a website for a special anniversary event. Allen Allbrook, the configuration administrator, creates a one-time blackout schedule for the week of the anniversary event to prevent the server from being taken down during that week, making sure that the website is available throughout the event. 
You can use a recurring blackout schedule to indicate regular CI availability or unavailability requirements. For example, Finance department at Calbro Services processes payroll checks every Thursday. Allen Allbrook, the configuration administrator, wants to ensure that neither the payroll server nor the payroll printer is taken down for maintenance on Thursdays. He sets two recurring blackout schedules to accomplish this.


Important

The blackout schedule of a CI created in BMC Helix ITSM: Asset Management is not automatically checked when a user with the Infrastructure Change Master, Infrastructure Change Submitter, or Infrastructure Change User permission enters the scheduled dates in the CI change request. However, you can search for available dates by using Schedule Assist in BMC Helix ITSM: Asset Management. For more information, see Managing time segment availability based on business event or operational category.


To create a one time blackout schedule

  1. Open a CI, as described in Searching for records in the application consoles.
  2. From the navigation pane, choose Advanced Functions > Blackout Schedules.
  3. On the Registration for Shared Time Segment form, click Add.
  4. On the Business Time Segment form, provide a description of the availability or unavailability of the CI.
  5. From the Availability list, select whether the CI is available or unavailable for changes:
    • Unavailable — Business services require use of the CI in this time segment, so it is unavailable for changes.
    • Available — The CI is available for changes.
  6. To enable this blackout, select the Enable check box.
  7. In the Level field, select a value between 1 to 1000 (default value is 3). For more information, see Understanding levels.
  8. From Duration Type, select One Time.
  9. Click the One Time tab.
  10. Specify your start and end date times, and click Save.

To create a recurring blackout schedule

  1. Open a CI, as described in Searching for records in the application consoles.
  2. From the navigation pane, choose Advanced Functions > Blackout Schedules.
  3. On the Registration for Shared Time Segment form, click Add.
  4. On the Business Time Segment form, provide a reason for the availability or unavailability of the CI.
    For example, at Calbro Services, Allen Allbrook provides the reason, "Payroll check processing."
  5. From the Availability list, select whether the CI is available or unavailable for changes:
    • Unavailable — Business services require use of the CI in this time segment, so it is unavailable for changes.
    • Available — The CI is available for changes.
      For example, Allen selects Unavailable, to ensure that the payroll server is not taken down for maintenance.
  6. To enable this blackout, select the Enable check box.
  7. In the Level field, select a value between 1 to 1000 (default value is 3). For more information, see Understanding levels.
  8. From Duration Type, select Recurring.
    The Recurrence Definition tab is displayed.
  9. Specify start and end date times for the activity recurrence and the recurrence type information. Depending on your selections, you might have to complete additional fields.
    For example, to set a weekly schedule, Allen selects Weekly.
  10. Click Save.

 

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