Why when importing Hardware asset from Excel, they are created as Bundle in Product Model class?

[mnaranjor]

I need to import our hardware records via a transform map to the alm_hardware table. I am trying to use SN OOB cmdb CI tables as much as possible to minimize impact and to make this process easier. I have been reading the Community posted questions as well as Ben Sweetser Model Management series to try to understand as much of this process as possible.

Our objective is to complete the physical scope in Asset Management: developing data collection methodology and process asset inventory. From here we want to set up discovery to update the assets that are connected to our network in their respective CIs.

I am still learning SN, but based on what I read, I understand that the model category table match up CI classes with Asset classes. Models can be associate to one or more Model Categories, so that when you create a CI record, the Model Category table creates an Asset record base on the Model association. Apparently, this should also work in the other direction: create a CI based on an Asset record. This is what we want to pursue by importing records to the alm_hardware table.

I wonder if somehow, this functionality is not actually followed when you import assets in bulk using a transform map.

Here is the setup I created and the problem that I am having when importing assets to the alm_hardware table:

Setup and General idea (Form Factor field created in the Hardware Model table)

Model Category	Form Factor	CMDB CI
Computer	Laptop, Tower, Mini Tower, Micro FF, Small FF, Ultra SFF	Cmdb_ci_computer
Mobile Device	Tablet, Smartphone, Satellite phone	Cmdb_ci_mobile_device
Printer	Label Printer, MFP Printer, Mobile Printer, Plotter	Cmdb_ci_printer
IP Router	Access Point, Cellular Router, Router	Cmdb_ci_ip_router
Computer Peripheral	Barcode Scanner, Document Scanner	None
TV	None	None

As you can see, I only created a Mobile Device cmdb class that extends from cmdb_ci_computer and add some fields to it.

As Ben suggested I created a Form Factor field in the Models table, of type Choice and I assigned the choices using the SysID from the Model Category table. Here is part of the Choices tab in Dictionary Entry for Form Factor field:

Secondly, I created a few models in the Models table to test:

 I went ahead and set up the Transform Map using the Excel file below:

I tried first with the model numbers in the Hardware Model table, and then changed it to the model name which is what you would see in the first Excel column. At the end I obtained the same result.

After the records were created in the Hardware table, I noticed that they were added to the Product Model table as bundle, and with an empty Name:

 

Can anyone provide a solution? What I am missing here?

[Daniel Billing]

Hi,

Seems like you are sending in the model numbers without matching it to correct field in models table.

make sure that the column values in your excel matches the ones in the target table field. this is especially important for reference fields.

that's why it starts creating empty models with display name only 

[mnaranjor]

Hi Daniel,

Exactly what do you mean by that?

I know that the model field is a reference field to Product Model, but I do not know exactly to what field it relates to (model number, model name?). In addition, the transform map target table is the alm_hardware table, containing the asset numbers. What I want is to import my assets into the hardware table, and then let SN assign those assets to the correct model in the Hardware Model table, and create the corresponding CIs when necessary.

[Daniel Billing · Accepted solution]

by default the tranform map matches the display field of a referenced table. 

so you are sending in "Apple Ipad mini 4 (wifi/cell) tablet to the model field of the hardware asset.

it seems like it can match that but instead create new models ...hence the (empty).

go into your mapping and open the u_model_number row. change the choice action to "ignore". this will avoid creating new model records.

in the "referenced field value field, put in "name". in your import set the u_model_number field has the same content as "name" field in product model....right?

Go to your product model table and validate the display = true on field display_name.