In the CI tables where should desktops, laptops and tables be stored, cmdb_ci_computer or cmdb_ci_pc_hardware?

[David77]

We've been storing our desktops, laptops and tables in what I'm guessing is the base table cmdb_ci_computer but it appears we should be putting them in cmdb_ci_pc_hardware, is that correct?

As an aside, I still don't understand the relationship between  cmdb_categories and cmdb_model_category 

Thanks!

[AndyB5000]

You have to look at it from a parent/child relationship.  The cmdb_ci_computer table is an extension (child) of the cmdb_ci_hardware table.  And the cmdb_ci_pc_hardware table is an extension (child) of the computer table.  Ultimately it is up to you where you put the CI's.  I would suggest putting PC's ini the PC_HARDWARE table, for better reporting in the future.  That way if you add printers or network switches you can put them in their respective tables with will then allow you to report on the CI classes and get an accurate description of how many CI's you have in each class.

ServiceNow has a lot of docuemntation on this, look through this for additional help:

https://docs.servicenow.com/bundle/london-servicenow-platform/page/product/configuration-management/concept/c_CMDBClassifications.html

CMDB categories on also called CI class which is what I described previously.

CMDB model categories are associated to a CI class and are part of the Asset Management module.  check this article out:

https://docs.servicenow.com/bundle/london-it-service-management/page/product/product-catalog/concept/c_ModelCategories.html

Hope this helps

[Andrew Westerv4]

Computer [cmdb_ci_computer] is the correct table for your client-OS types (ie. Windows 7,10, Mac OSX) devices. Personal Computer [cmdb_ci_pc_hardware] doesn't fit most customer's CMDB needs, and has traditionally been used for identifying the difference between company owned devices versus personal devices (such as BYOD).

Model Categories are specific to linking Asset and CMDB together based off the model of the device. Not all Assets are CIs, and vice-versa, and this will allow you to define that specific relationship.

[David77]

OK, I see your point there. One question is how does one get a report then of all desktops, laptops, and tablets as that same base table will also have Servers, correct? 

Is it as simple as running a report on cmdb_ci_computer and say where Class=Computer or 

!=Computer (if you want Server class devices)?

[AndyB5000]

If you dumped all the data into the computer table as an example, you would use the model categories to separate the data. 

So you would have a model category for Laptop, Tables, & Desktops.  You create the report from the cmdb_ci_computer table and then add the model category field, and you can then sort accordingly.

make sense?