Decommissioning schedule

In the Mid Tier interface, the virtualization administrator, configuration manager, or change coordinator can create a decommissioning schedule to drive the decommissioning process. If a decommissioning schedule is related to a virtual machine (VM), the owner of the VM receives notification of the upcoming decommission.

A configuration item (CI) for a VM is related to a CI for virtual settings data, which includes the proposed decommission date. When the CI for the VM is attached to the schedule, the proposed decommission date stored in the CI's related virtual settings data becomes the proposed decommission date in the Schedule Information form.

Upon receiving notification, the VM owner can request an extension of the proposed decommission date so that the VM is available for use. If the VM owner does not request an extension, the decommission runs on schedule.

On the proposed decommission date, the decommissioning schedule creates a change request to request the decommissioning of the VM.

Notification of a VM scheduled for decommission

The owner of a virtual machine (VM) and a notification contact can be notified in advance of the VM decommission date, as specified by the lead time.

CIs for VMs include a proposed decommission date. The CI also indicates the owner of the VM. The decommission schedule indicates the lead time and the notification support group or company.

Notification is sent to both the owner of the VM and to the notification contact in advance of the proposed decommission date, as specified on the decommissioning schedule. This notification provides the VM owner with time to request an extension of the decommission date if the VM is still being used.

Before you begin

The computer system CI for the virtual system must be created.

To create a decommission schedule

1. In Mid Tier, in Asset Management Console, in the navigation pane, select Functions > New Schedule.
2. On the Schedule Criteria form, from the Schedule Type list, select Decommission Schedule.

3. Specify the following information about the schedule:

   Field	Description
   Schedule Name	Specify the name of the schedule.
   Schedule Description	Provide a description of the schedule.
   Schedule Type	Specify the type of schedule (in this case, a decommissioning schedule).
   Default Decommission Schedule	Confirm default decommission schedule that is automatically attached to CIs for VMs. You can have only one default decommission schedule for a company. Best practice: Create a default decommission schedule for each company.
   Send Notification Only Send Notification and Create Decommission Change Request	When a default decommission schedule is automatically attached to the CI for a VM, specify whether to send a notification only or to also create the change request (based on the indicated change template).
   Lead Time in Days	Specify the number of days in advance to notify the VM owner about the decommission date. This value is auto-populated by the default lead time.
   Notification Company, Support Organization, Support Group, and Contact	Specify a support person to be notified in addition to the owner of the VM. Both the contact person and the CI owner receive notification about the decommission.
   Change Template	Select the change template to use when the change request is created on the decommission date.
   Change Requester Change Coordinator	Specify the change requester and change coordinator for the change request that is created.

4. Click Save.

To relate a VM to a decommissioning schedule

You can relate multiple VMs to a single decommission schedule. You cannot relate a single VM to multiple decommission schedules. You can relate only VMs to a decommissioning schedule. When a computer system CI refers to a VM, the Is Virtual field is set to Yes.

1. In Mid Tier, in the Schedule Criteria dialog box, click Add.
2. In the Searching for Configuration Items dialog box, in the Search For list, select System > Computer System.
3. Enter other search criteria to narrow the search results, and click Search.

4. Select the appropriate CI and click Relate.