Configuration Baseline
A configuration baseline shows the configuration of a configuration item that has been reviewed and agreed upon and is marked to be under change control.
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Only the configuration item and CIComponent business objects can be baselined. |
Using the configuration baseline, the Configuration ManagerResponsible for the Configuration Management process and the Configuration Management Database (CMDB). The Configuration Manager has permissions to maintain all configuration items in the CMDB. can view and compare all historical changes made to the configuration item and the related configuration items. The Configuration Manager can view the current baseline against the historical baseline.
Establishing a baseline is useful in case it is necessary to back out after a change and restore the original configuration, or if it is necessary to rebuild a specific version of the configuration item at a later date. If the configuration item is linked to a change, the baseline automatically runs when the change is in implemented status.
To baseline a configuration item, the configuration item type must be under change control by the administrator. In addition, you must
- Select properties of the configuration item type to baseline.
- Select the change control option on the Details tab of the configuration item record.
Selecting Properties to Baseline
Before recording a baseline action, ensure that the fields of the configuration item type to record for baseline are selected.
| 1. | Log into the Service Desk Console as the Configuration Manager or administrator, and open the Baseline Mapping workspace. A list of configuration item types and components appears. |
To view and compare baselines of a configuration item, the Under Change Control option for that configuration item type must be selected by the administrator for the CI business object. If the Under Change Control option for a configuration item type has not been selected by the administrator, you will not see that configuration item type listed.
| 2. | From the CI types (or CI Components) list, select a configuration item type (or configuration item component). The suggested fields to baseline for the selected configuration item type (or component) appear. |
| 3. | To view all the fields of the selected configuration item, click Show All Properties. Select the properties to baseline. |
| 4. | To baseline all configuration items related to the selected configuration item, click Show Related CI and CI Components, then select the checkboxes next to the ones to baseline. |
| 5. | Click Save . |
.Viewing the Configuration Baseline
To view and compare baselines of a configuration item, the Under Change Control option for that configuration item type must be selected by the administrator.
Within a configuration item record, select the Details tab, then select Is Under Change Control.
Configuration Item Record Details Tab
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If you do not see the Under Change Control option, then it has not been selected in the Configuration Console by an administrator. |
Running the Run Baseline quick action for a configuration item type while the Under Change Control option is not selected generates an error log within the Baseline Comparison tab of the record.
Viewing a Configuration Baseline and Comparing Baselines
| 1. | Within a configuration item record, select the Is Under Change Control option on the Details tab and click Save. |
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You can only view the baseline of a configuration item type for which the Under Change Control option has been selected by the administrator. Also, ensure that the Change Control option is selected on the Details tab of the configuration item record. If the configuration item type business object does not have the Under Change Control option selected in the Configuration Console, you will not see the Change Control option on a record of that configuration item type. |
Configuration Item Record Is Under Change Control
| 2. | From the toolbar, select Run Baseline. |
You can also run the baseline from under the Baseline Comparison tab or from the Run Baseline quick action menu.
The Baseline Creation window appears.
| 3. | Enter a baseline name and description in the Name and Description fields, then click OK. The baseline might take a few minutes to run. |
The current baseline is recorded.
| 4. | Click OK at any time. |
| 5. | View the baseline history from the Baseline Comparison tab.The baseline history table shows the list of all the baselines for the configuration item at various times. The last successful baseline is the baseline, while the rest are historical data. |
Double-click any row to see details.
| 6. | Click Display Baseline to show the values of the fields that have been selected to show baseline information. |
| 7. | Click Create Baseline again to run another baseline if a change has been made to this configuration item. |
| 8. | Click Show Variance from Baseline if you made any changes to the current baseline. |
| 9. | Select the baselines from the history list, then click Compare Baseline/History to compare baselines. The properties that have changed appears. |
If an error occurs, the baseline does not run and the error appears in the Error Information section below the baseline history table.
If the configuration item is related to a change, the baseline automatically runs when the change status is set to implemented. If necessary, the baseline can be run at any time by clicking the Run Baseline quick action from the Change workspace.
