Links between objects
You can create links between objects in ALVAO Asset Management that describe various relationships between objects (configuration items).
For example, links can define which elements of the IT infrastructure are involved in the delivery of a particular IT service. You can then use the resulting graph to assess the impact (impact analysis) of incidents, problems and changes in the IT infrastructure.
For an overview of the links between an object and other objects, see the graphical diagram on the page WebApp – Objects – Object – Link Diagram, or AM Console – Object – Link Diagram.
You can create and edit links directly in the diagram and also in the main AM Console window on the Links, or automated via the REST API included in the ALVAO Asset Management Enterprise API module.
Types of links
The link type specifies the nature of the relationship between two linked objects. The following system link types are available:
| Link Type |
Description |
Categories (system cannot be removed) |
| Related to - Related to |
General link - object A is related to object B. |
system |
| Is used - Uses |
For example, UPS "UPS1" is used by server "SERVER1". Looking from the other side: the server is using the UPS. Thus, the correct functionality of the server depends on the functionality of the UPS.
Use this type of link to define chains of dependencies between infrastructure elements going from the basic elements to complex end IT services. This type of links is recommended for analyzing the impact of outages and changes in IT infrastructure. |
system |
| It is superior to - It is inferior to |
Links of this type are determined by the object's position in the object tree and do not appear on the Links tab. |
system |
| Hosted - Is hosted |
For example, the physical server "SERVER1" hosts the virtual server "VM1". The virtual server "VM1" is hosted by the physical server "SERVER1". |
ownloaded |
.
| It is backed up - Backups |
For example, the backup copy "Db1.bak" backs up the "Db1" database. Looking from the other side: Database "Db1" is backed up by backup copy "Db1.bak". |
ownloaded |
If the above types are not enough, create your own link types in WebApp - Administration - Asset Management - Object Link Types, or AM Console - Tools - Lists - Object Link Types.
User permissions
Only authorized users can work with Links according to the following table:
| Role |
View the links tab and diagram of links |
Adding, editing and removing links |
Manage link types |
| Asset System Administrator |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Links Report |
Yes |
Yes1 |
Yes |
| Link reader |
Yes |
No |
No |
| Reader |
No |
No |
No |
| Asset manager |
No |
No |
No |
| Software Licence Report |
No |
No |
No |
| Hardware and Software Detection Report |
No |
No |
No |
| Accountants |
No |
No |
No |
1 When rights are used in the object tree, the constraint manager can only work with constraints if it also has the right to modify the object and at least the right to read the constrained object.
Note:
The right to
View Links and
Links Diagram tabs means that the user can see the
Links and
Links Diagram tabs, respectively, of the selected object, and all its links (even links to objects to which has no rights) on it.
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