Configuration Management TechKNOWvatioN

The Configuration Management TechKNOWvatioN contains the processes and practices involved with controlling, configuring, re-configuring, and accounting for resources in a technically complex environment. This includes tasks such as hardware/software inventory tracking, software distribution and change control.

Managing the dynamic, day-to-day configuration of a technically complex environment, Configuration Management is somewhat reactive in nature.

• Asset Management TechKNOWvatioN Service

The Asset Management TechKNOWvatioN Service is the set of services that collects, tracks, and maintains records of distributed computing environment assets, both hardware and software. Asset management is concerned with what the organization has, where it is located, what its capabilities are, and (to a lesser degree) what it costs.

• Inventory Management

The Inventory Management Element is the service that maintains and reports on inventory records for hardware, software, network, and peripheral equipment in a technically complex environment. Inventory Management is concerned with the question: “What do we have?”

• System and Network Maps

The System and Network Maps Element is the service that develops and maintains logical and physical maps of a technically complex environment. System and Network Maps is concerned with the question: “How is everything connected together?”

• Change Control TechKNOWvatioN Service

The Change Control TechKNOWvatioN Service is the set of services that manages changes to the production environment. Change control is concerned with the approval and implementation of modifications to a technically complex environment. The scope of change control tends to be shorter term, more incremental and more internal to the IT organization, as opposed to the Technology Refresh TechKNOWvatioN Service which has a longer term, more significant, and more external scope.

• Software Distribution

The Software Distribution Element is the service that installs software in a technically complex environment. Software distribution is concerned with how the software is distributed to various users, the installation of system, network and application software, and upgrades to that software. Software distribution focuses on documenting and automating as much of the software installation and upgrade process as possible.

• Moves, Adds, and Changes

The Moves, Adds, and Changes Element is the service that relocates and changes technically complex environment assets. Moves, Adds, and Changes is concerned with the physical relocation of equipment, physical changes to equipment, and configuration changes such as a network address changes. It is often the case that the same people responsible for Hardware Support perform the Moves, Adds, and Changes functions.

• Testing and Certification

The Testing and Certification Element is the service that tests changes to configurations before they are put into production. Testing and Certification is concerned with how new hardware and software (or changes to existing hardware and software) will work and behave in the user’s environment. Certification is the more formal process of testing, often required in high risk or heavily regulated environments.

• Technology Refresh TechKNOWvatioN Service

The Technology Refresh TechKNOWvatioN Service is the set of services that plans and implements new and significant technology upgrades for an organization. Technology Refresh is concerned with the introduction of new technology into a production environment. This TechKNOWvatioN Service involves both the IT and user community working together to ensure the successful implementation of new technology into the organization.

• System Design

The System Design Element is the service that plans and designs significant changes to the system side of a technically complex environment. System design is concerned with planning and designing the introduction of new systems (both server and desktop) into the environment.

• Network Design

The Network Design Element is the service that plans and designs significant changes to the network side of a technically complex environment. Network design is concerned with planning and designing the introduction of new networks (both LAN and WAN) into the environment.

• Operating System Migration

The Operating System Migration Element is the service that plans and designs significant operating system changes for a technically complex environment. Operating System Migration is concerned with making sure that these upgrades are done as smoothly as possible with little or no interruption to existing service. An example of an operating system migration would be moving from Novell to NT, or upgrading from Microsoft Windows to Windows 95.

• Application Migration

The Application Migration Element is the service that plans and designs significant application changes for a technically complex environment. Application Migration is concerned with making sure that these changes or upgrades are done as smoothly as possible with little or no interruption to existing service. An example of an application migration would be moving to a new accounting system, or changing WordPerfect to Microsoft Word as the new word processor for the organization.