Note: To learn to use the Reconciliation module, see the Reconciliation Module Implementation Guide in addition to this online help. The guide contains basic information about the reconciliation process and explains how to set up reconciliation tasks.
The Reconciliation module applications let you evaluate data about information technology devices and networks and view the results of the evaluation. You use these applications to configure a behind-the-scenes process that reconciles objects from one data set (Data Set 1) with objects in another data set (Data Set 2). The reconciliation process identifies successful matches as well as discrepancies and variances between the two sets of data.
Typically Data Set 1 contains information about authorized objects–that is, data that you recorded about what you have acquired and installed. This data represents your authorized inventory, how things should be and what you have planned. Data Set 2 typically contains information that a discovery tool collects about objects actually deployed in your enterprise.
You can use the results of a reconciliation to determine whether the objects actually deployed comply with corporate plans and whether the changes over the life cycle of an object are in compliance with corporate policies. Discrepancies might be caused by a variety of factors, including:
incorrect data entry
reconfigured equipment
retired equipment
theft
unauthorized use of hardware and software in the enterprise
To define the parameters for a reconciliation, you create a reconciliation task that combines the elements required for a reconciliation into a specific task that you schedule for execution using the Cron Task Setup application. A reconciliation task consists of three possible components: a task filter (optional), one or more link rules (required), and one or more comparison rules (optional). For additional information about defining reconciliation tasks, see Setting Up a Reconciliation.
After the system executes a reconciliation task, you can view the results of the reconciliation. If you use Tivoli Asset Management for IT, you view results in the Asset Link Results and Asset Reconciliation Results applications. If you use the Change and Configuration Management Database (CCMDB), you view results in the CI Link Results and CI Reconciliation Results applications.
The Reconciliation module contains the following applications:
Reconciliation Tasks - This application combines one or more link rules and, if necessary, a task filter and one or more comparison rules into a reconciliation task. The task filter and comparison rules are optional. This application also lets you specify how the system reports results for comparison rule evaluations: all results, failed reconciliations, or successful reconciliations. You use the Cron Task Setup application to schedule execution of a reconciliation task.
Task Filters - This application defines a subset of either Data Set 1 or Data Set 2 to reconcile. If you do not define a task filter for a reconciliation task, the system compares all top-level objects in Data Set 1 with all objects in Data Set 2 when it processes the reconciliation task.
Link Rules - This application establishes 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 the object and attribute in Data Set 1 to link to a specific attribute of the object in Data Set 2. The system lists successful links in the link results application. When the system is not able to establish successful links, it lists discrepancies and variances in the reconciliation results application.
Comparison Rules - This application defines how to compare objects or attributes of a child or parent object in Data Set 1 with a child or parent in Data Set 2 when the system executes a reconciliation task. Comparison rules are optional components of a reconciliation task, and a task can include more than one comparison rule. The system applies comparison rules only after it establishes a successful link between an object from Data Set 1 and an object from Data Set 2. The system lists results for comparison rule reconciliations in a reconciliation results application.
Asset Link Results or CI Link Results - This application lists 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 - This application lists results of attribute or child object comparisons between two objects that have been successfully linked by a Link Rule. A user setting in the reconciliation task determines whether the reconciliation process displays comparison rule failures, successes, or both. You can also use this application to indicate that you have resolved discrepancies between data sets and to record information about how you resolved them.