CMDBf

CMDBf, short for Configuration Management Database Federation, is a standard-driven approach to federating configuration management database data across multiple CMDB systems. It defines how independent CMDBs can be queried and how data can be shared in a controlled, interoperable manner without requiring a single centralized repository.

The CMDBf specification describes a federation architecture that may involve CMDB providers, CMDB consumers, and potentially a federation layer. The primary goal is to enable searching for configuration items and retrieving their details and relationships from any participating CMDB. The interface is defined as web services, with guidance on how to perform cross-repository queries, and it specifies a common data model for core concepts such as ConfigurationItem, Attribute, and Relationship.

Data model and interoperability are central to CMDBf. The framework provides a core set of abstractions that allow different CMDB implementations to map their internal schemas to a federated view. This enables cross-repository querying, which can support activities like impact analysis and change management across distributed environments.

Security and governance are emphasized in CMDBf. Access control, authentication, and auditing are considered essential due to the potentially sensitive nature of configuration data. Organizations typically implement authorization policies to govern who may search or retrieve information from partner CMDBs.

History and status: CMDBf emerged in the mid-2000s as part of efforts to standardize cross-CMDB data exchange. While it influenced discussions around federated CMDB architectures, broad market adoption has been limited. Many organizations today rely on vendor-specific APIs, REST-based integrations, or other federation approaches, though CMDBf remains a reference point in discussions of interoperable CMDB architectures.