Warum ist AixBOMS besser als andere DCIM-Produkte?

When dealing with a wealth of technical information, as is common in the provider business, modern visualisation techniques are indispensable. Graphical support makes precisely the difference: At AixBOMS, it's based on the Data Repository, just like all other activities! The Data Repository provides up-to-date information and ensures compliance with rules and feasibility checks. No matter how attractive the graphical views may be, they are of no use unless they are 100% up to date and accurate.

 

AixBOMS presents information as it is needed. Users move almost unnoticed between different representations from various management areas. These are modelled on the respective user perspectives: hierarchical structures are visualised as trees, connections as lines, and rooms and spaces via floor plans and architectural drawings. All these graphics are fully CMDB-based, i.e. they are generated in real-time from the current database contents. In addition, there is also the option to use maps as backgrounds for the live graphics, which allow for precise geographical positioning. We refrain from integrating GIS-Systems (Geographic Information Systems), so that our customers do not incur any further licensing costs.





AixBOMS structure views represent data relationships for the respective management areas. They are displayed in a predefined layout, which is controlled via the AixBOMS Navigator. GUI (Graphical User Interface) can be adapted to user requirements using simple graphics functions, including zoom and grouping. An additional graphics editor is not required. The modified structures are stored in the system and taken into account on subsequent calls. In addition to the graphical functions, the structures contain management functions adapted to the respective focus and user rights.





In AixBOMS, there are a number of basic structures which have been optimised for various application areas and can easily be supplemented. For example, there are among others

 

  • Configuration Trees for device configurations with parent-child component relationships
  • Master data with a representation of the relationships between master data such as locations, floors, rooms, persons, contracts, ...
  • Single Connection Editor for connection analysis
  • Connectivity Structure Editor, for the representation of (logical) Layer 1 and Layer N network paths




  • Port and Cable Structure Editor for cable and component connections
  • Network (Topology) Editors and Network Trees with network topology and subnet structures





  • Service Trees for the representation of relationships between services, CIs (Configuration Items) and master data. Impact analysis to identify services affected by problems with a CI.





In AixBOMS, drawings of floor, building, and server rooms, as well as cabinet views, can be easily created without additional CAD software. Unlike Maps, these are calculated from the CMDB entries and automatically adjusted when the CIs change.

 

Conversely, this works just as well thanks to the GMF (Graphical Modelling Framework) base used: changes in the graphics are made using AixBOMS's graphical functions and have a direct impact on the affected database content. However, this does not happen „strictly 1:1“ but, taking into account a sophisticated set of rules, only after a thorough review of the intended changes. This is the only way we can guarantee data quality even when editing graphics.





As CIs are hidden behind the graphical elements and the database is object-oriented, suitable management functions can be called from the graphics, such as, for example, a cabinet view with RackView in a data centre plan via the right mouse button.





For clarity, AixBOMS supports a layering technique that allows individual layers and their associated graphical elements to be shown or hidden. The available symbols (icons) from the product library are designed to be photo-realistic, giving the operator the most authentic impression possible of their management area. New icons can be created class-specifically using AixBOMS's own Icon Editor and assigned to all related objects at the touch of a button.

 

The underlying data model is object-oriented and has been specifically developed for the management of IT systems. Today, nearly 200 predefined CI classes are already available, which allow for direct commissioning. The comprehensive set of rules, which is used by the AixBOMS applications and tools, is also built on this. It governs not only accesses in a legal sense but also those for which company policies or system-specific conditions exist.

 

In day-to-day operations, rules ensure that Naming conventions adhered to, Mandatory fields completed and Sequences when processing linked work steps.





You enable a conditional description of CMDB entries, depending on, for example, logical criteria such as „is affected by a modernisation measure“, „has already been reserved for other purposes“, „may not be deleted until the department head has agreed“, „has fallen out of the maintenance contract“, ... Rules also govern access to individual management functions and shared data areas. They are extended to include verification of feasible and permitted methods in the current context.

 

Without rules, the sharing of a database of such central importance cannot be realised. AixBOMS and its predecessor CCM (ComConsult Communication Manager) has been used in real customer environments for over 25 years for the management of data centres. Data quality has always played a significant role for us, which is ultimately reflected in both the quantity and quality of the rules we provide. The standard scope of delivery currently includes over 4500 Business Rules contain, which can be supplemented with custom rules at any time.

 

AixBOMS, its reporting and graphics technology are based on Java (Eclipse, BIRT (Business Intelligence and Reporting Tools) and GMF (Graphical Modeling Framework), an open-source development environment that has become widespread due to its easy integration capabilities. This means there are no additional licensing costs and AixBOMS will be a future-proof investment.

 

AixBOMS can also be easily integrated into existing environments. The Integration Engine in its light version supports simple and fast data migration from standard systems. The enterprise solution is based on a mature Extract, Transform, Load-System (Extract – Transform – Load), which regulates the regular exchange of data with other data pools. When realising high quality and performance demands, caching by means of a so-called staging area plays a decisive role. This allows for filtered and iterated live deployment, which can be adapted to the respective capacities of the company.

 

Last – but not least – you can’t just do DCIM with AixBOMS. Cross-functional information from other management areas is also consolidated in the unified AixBOMS interface. Service providers benefit from support in cable and connectivity management with floor plans and connection analyses, as well as from impact and structural analyses and billing options in business service management. The type and scope of the data, and access to it, are configurable in each case. This allows us to respond to the many suggestions from our customers from their day-to-day business, in which DCIM (Data Centre Infrastructure Management) is operated as part of the overall IT management.