Setting Up a Reconciliation

The Reconciliation module includes six applications that let you perform the following tasks:

The system reconciles objects by performing a rule-based compare operation defined by a system administrator. Administrators use Reconciliation module applications to define reconciliation tasks and then use the Cron Task Setup application in the Configuration module to set up a cron task that executes the reconciliation task.

The following table outlines the steps required to set up a specific reconciliation task and describes the role of the applications used in the reconciliation process.

 

Steps to Set Up a Reconciliation

 Application

  1. Define a task filter that specifies a subset of either Data Set 1 or Data Set 2  to reconcile.

(OPTIONAL)

A task filter is an optional component of a reconciliation task. If you do not define a task filter, the system compares all top-level objects in Data Set 1 with all objects in Data Set 2. Task filters apply only to link rules, not comparison rules.

Examples:
You can set up a deployed asset task filter based on a specific site such as Boston. A reconciliation task that includes this filter evaluates all top-level IT assets but evaluates deployed assets only at the Boston site.

You can set up an asset task filter (asset filters apply to IT assets maintained in the Assets application) based on a specific site such as Boston. A reconciliation task that includes this filter evaluates top-level IT assets only at the Boston site but evaluates all deployed assets.

Task Filters

  1. Define one or more link rules to establish a link between a top-level object in Data Set 1 and an object in Data Set 2.

The link rule establishes the basis of the comparison by identifying an object and attribute in Data Set 1 to link to a specific attribute of the object in Data Set 2.

Example:
A link rule is often based on serial number,  asset tag, or GUID.

Link Rules

  1. Define one or more comparison rules to determine how to compare objects or attributes of parent or child objects in Data Set 1 with attributes of parent or child objects in Data Set 2.

(OPTIONAL)

Comparison rules are an optional component of a reconciliation task. The reconciliation process applies comparison rules only after the system establishes a successful link between an object in Data Set 1 and an object in Data Set 2.

Example:
You can set up a comparison rule to compare software on computers in IT assets with software on computers in deployed assets.

Comparison Rules

  1. Define a reconciliation task.

A reconciliation task record combines a task filter (optional), one or more link rules, and one or more comparison rules (optional) into a specific job task that the system executes using the Cron Task Setup application. A reconciliation task also specifies how the system reports results for comparison rule evaluations: all results, failed reconciliations, or successful reconciliations.

Reconciliation Tasks

  1. Schedule the execution of a reconciliation task using the Cron Task Setup application in the System Configuration module.

Cron Task Setup

  1. View the results of the reconciliation and record information about resolving discrepancies between data sets.

Note: If you use Tivoli Asset Management for IT, your installation includes Asset  Link Results and Asset Reconciliation Results applications. If you use the Change and Configuration Management Database (CCMDB), your installation includes CI Link Results and CI Reconciliation Results applications.

Asset Link Results or CI Link Results – Use the appropriate link results application to view all successful one-to-one links between a top-level object in Data Set 1 and an object in Data Set 2.

Asset Reconciliation Results or CI Reconciliation Results – Use the appropriate reconciliation results application to view:

  • Link Failures – A link failure occurs when the system does not find a successful one-to-one link between the object in Data Set 1 and the object in Data Set 2 that you specified in a link rule. Link failures occur when the reconciliation process finds no links or finds multiple links.

  • Comparison Rule Results – Authorized users can view results from comparison rule evaluations. Based on parameters set up in the Reconciliation Tasks application, the system provides one of the following result sets:

  • all results, both successful and failed

  • instances where the object in Data Set 1 failed to reconcile against the object in Data Set 2

  • instances where the object in Data Set 1 successfully matched the object in Data Set 2

Asset Link Results

Asset Reconciliation Results

or

CI Link Results

CI Reconciliation Results