Link Rules (SP) ApplicationLink Rules (SP) ApplicationNote: This application is part of the Reconciliation module. 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.
You use the Link Rules (SP) application in the Reconciliation module to create, view, modify, duplicate, and delete link rules.
A link rule is a required component of a reconciliation task. When the system processes a reconciliation task, a link rule establishes the basis for reconciliation by identifying a top-level object and attribute in one data set to link to a specific attribute of a top-level object in another data set. Link rules are often based on unique identifiers. The attribute most commonly used to link assets and deployed assets is a serial number or asset tag. The attribute most commonly used to link configuration items (CIs) with actual CIs is ACTCINUM, the actual CI number.
After you create a link rule, you use the Reconciliation Tasks (SP) application to associate the rule with a specific reconciliation task, and the system includes the link rule each time it executes the reconciliation task. When the system executes the reconciliation task, it evaluates each link rule and attempts to match the object and attribute in the first data set with the object and attribute in the second data set.
If you add multiple link rules to a task, you must assign a sequence number to each rule to specify the order in which to process the rule. Sequence numbers and link rule names must be unique for each rule.
The system evaluates link rules in a reconciliation task in cascading sequence, based on sequence numbers, until it finds a match or until it reaches the end of the cascading rule list, in the following manner:
The system selects the first object in the leading data set and looks for a match in the corresponding data set using the first link rule in the reconciliation task.
If the system finds a match for the object in the leading data set, it checks the subordinate set for additional matches.
If the system does not find additional matches, it generates a record for the link results (SP) application.
If the system finds any additional matches, it generates a link rule failure record for the reconciliation results (SP) application.
If evaluation of the link rule does not yield a match to an object in the subordinate set, the system processes the next link rule. The system processes cascading link rules in order until the first match or until the end of the cascading rule list.
When a link rule in a reconciliation task yields a match for an object (single or multiple), the system does not process any more link rules for that object. The system then selects the next object in the leading data set and attempts to find a match for that object.
When the system executes a reconciliation task, it lists results of link rule evaluations in a link results (SP) application. For more information about viewing link rule results, see Viewing Results of a Reconciliation.
Note: The applications that let you view results of a reconciliation are specific to the software that you purchase. The license key associated with your software determines which link results and which reconciliation results application your system displays. If you use Tivoli Asset Management for IT, your installation includes Asset Link Results (SP) and Asset Reconciliation Results (SP) applications. If you use Change and Configuration Management Database (CCMDB), your installation includes CI Link Results (SP) and CI Reconciliation Results (SP) applications.
A link rule consists of the following elements:
a unique link rule name
a brief description of the link rule (optional)
The customer associated with the link rule. This field is used to limit the records included when a reconciliation task is processed. If you specify a customer, you can apply the link rule only to reconciliation tasks created for that customer. If you do not specify a customer, you can apply the link rule only to reconciliation tasks that are not associated with a customer.
data set specifications that indicate what data to reconcile
one or more link clauses
Each link clause identifies an object and attribute in Data Set 1 to link to a specific attribute in Data Set 2 when the system executes a reconciliation task. The Link Clauses table window on the Link Rule tab lists link clauses. For additional information about the elements of a link clause, see Link Clauses.
You use the Link Rules (SP) application to perform the following actions:
Create a new link rule.
Delete a link rule.
Duplicate a link rule.
Modify an existing link rule.
The Link Rules (SP) application has the following tabs:
List: to search the system for link rules.
Link Rule: to define new link rules and view, modify, duplicate, and delete existing link rules.
Reconciliation Module Overview
Reconciliation Module Data Sets