Konfigurationsgegenstände
Konfigurationsgegenstände, often abbreviated as CIs, are fundamental components within a configuration management system. They represent any manageable part of an IT infrastructure that needs to be tracked and controlled. This can include hardware like servers, routers, and workstations, as well as software such as operating systems, applications, and databases. Additionally, documentation, services, and even people can be considered Konfigurationsgegenstände depending on the scope of the configuration management process. Each CI has unique attributes that describe its state, relationships, and dependencies. For example, a server CI might have attributes for its operating system version, installed software, IP address, and physical location. The primary purpose of identifying and managing CIs is to provide a clear understanding of the IT environment, enabling better decision-making, incident resolution, and change management. By maintaining an accurate Configuration Management Database (CMDB), organizations can visualize the impact of changes, troubleshoot issues more efficiently, and ensure compliance. The lifecycle of a CI typically involves creation, maintenance, and eventual retirement, with each stage requiring careful management to maintain data integrity and operational stability.