About device configuration

Device configuration pertains to the management of device types and devices. As a device administrator, you can manage the devices assigned to any of the groups you own.

• A device type is a category used to define devices that share similar characteristics or capabilities. Device types are used to uniquely describe and identify the capabilities of devices. This information is important for defining many aspects of the system that are device-type specific, including interfaces, properties, commands, and rules. Examples of device types are copiers, printers, fax machines, HVAC coolers, and MRI units. Device types can also be used to uniquely described components of devices, such as a copier's high capacity feeder and stapler accessories. To configure device types, see Configuring device types.

• A device s an instrument, machine, or piece of equipment that needs to be supported and maintained. Examples would be specific instances of copiers, printers, fax machines, etc., each identifiable by (among other information) its unique system identifier (member name) and serial number. Devices are typically connected to an Internet-accessible network, but they may also be disconnected (e.g., standalone or belonging to a local area network without Internet accessibility). To configure devices, see Configuring devices.

In most installations of the Questra IDM Application Suite, information that identifies connected devices will be loaded automatically (i.e., auto-registered) as they are brought online. However, as administrator, you must set up the device types, as well as adding individual devices, such as disconnected devices, manually as needed.

When you define a device type, you set up the following information, which will be applied to all devices designated of this type. These characteristics represent the complete capability set for devices of this type, regardless of their purpose.

• Communication options – Each device type has a default set of communication options. These include the polling interval (for connected, non-contactable devices) as well as the retry count and interval.

• Properties – Each device type has a (potentially) unique set of properties. Some device properties are data elements that can be collected. Some of these data points are used to assess operational status, usage information, etc. Other properties are used to control the behavior of a device.

• Components (if any) – An individual device may be made up of components (such as motors, processors, or cooling units). If you set up each component as its own device type, for which component-specific properties are defined, you can then associate these device types with parent device types. Accordingly, devices may have parent/child relationships as well.

• Questra TotalAccess connections – These connections specify which type of client-server connections are supported for a device type. For example, all devices of a specific device type may support both remote desktop and telnet connection types. (Setting up TotalAccess connections for devices is covered in Questra TotalAccess configuration rather than in Device Configuration.)  

• Rules – A device type can be associated with rules against which device data will evaluated.

• Commands – A device type may include commands that can be executed remotely on devices in order to diagnose problems and control operation.

• Web service interfaces – A web service is a component of a web-based system that provides a service or function over the Internet. Web service interfaces define which of the Questra IDM Application Suite's web services a device needs to interface with. For example, a device may need to interface with the web service that performs monitoring and scheduling, but not the web service that performs software updates.

When you set up individual devices (or when they auto-register), they are assigned a device type, and all the characteristics of that device type apply. However, to accommodate individual differences of specific devices, you can change override the device type's definition. For example, there may be a device that supports only telnet connection types, whereas its designated device type may support both remote desktop and telnet connection types. This difference would be reflected in the definition of the device's Questra TotalAccess connections.

You also define a device's connection mode, as well as (optionally) its physical location (i.e., address), if desired. (Before doing so, review the Best Practice in Devices dialog for a discussion on the merits of using customer addresses rather than device addresses.)

NOTE: To define configurations for a device type, use the CMDB Editor. See About the Configuration Management Database.