5.1 Understanding Resources

A resource is anything that can be managed, such as a computer or a cluster. For example, when you connect an adapter to Aegis, the Resource Management database creates a resource record for each of the computers used by the connected data sources, such as AppManager. In some cases, multiple data sources might register a single resource. For example, a computer might be a resource in both an AppManager repository and a NetIQ Secure Configuration Manager repository, with each repository identifying the computer by a different name. The Resource Management database provides a way to identify both instances of the computer with a common identifier, creating associated resources that automatically correlate resource information from multiple data sources. Aegis attempts to associate resources automatically if there is matching information, such as identical IP addresses. However, if Aegis is unable to find matching information, you must associate them manually.

NOTE:Removing a computer from a data source repository does not delete the record in the Resource Management database. If a computer resource receives no updates from the data source repository for 30 days, the Resource Management database hides the resource record.

You can create a resource in the database, and then add it to any number of resource groups, or you can create a resource directly in an existing resource group. For more information about resource groups, see Section 5.1.1, Understanding Resource Groups.

5.1.1 Understanding Resource Groups

A resource group contains resources with similarities, such as all computers that perform a particular function. When you connect an adapter to Aegis, the Resource Management database creates resource groups for each data source. For example, if AppManager is a data source, the Resource Management database creates a resource group for each of the following:

  • Server Group

  • Standard View

  • Snapshot View

  • Dynamic View

For more information about resources, see Section 5.1, Understanding Resources. For more information about AppManager repositories, see the Administrator Guide for NetIQ AppManager.

NOTE:

  • You can use a resource group in a business service. For more information about business services, see Section 5.2, Understanding Business Services.

  • If the Resource Management database finds multiple resource groups with the same name from different data sources, Aegis combines them into one resource group.

  • Resource groups can contain other resource groups with unlimited nesting levels.

Resource groups allow Aegis processes to respond to events at the resource group level instead of on the resource level. For example, when creating a named event that evaluates incoming events from Exchange servers, you can specify the Exchange Servers resource group in the named event instead of having to specify each individual computer. If you add a new Exchange server, you only need to update the resource group. The named event remains unchanged. For more information about named events, see the Process Authoring Guide for NetIQ Aegis.

5.1.2 Associating Resources

Associated resources represent a single resource that has been registered multiple times. For example, a computer can be registered as both an AppManager resource and a Security Manager resource. Associating them ties them together as the same resource.

Aegis will attempt to automatically associate resources if there is matching information. However, if Aegis is unable to find matching information, you must associate them manually.

To manually associate resources:

  1. In the Navigation pane, click Resources.

  2. If you know which resource group contains the resource you want to associate, complete the following steps:

    1. In the left pane, select the appropriate resource group.

    2. In the view pane, click the resource you want to associate.

    3. Under Resource Details, click the Associated Resources tab.

  3. If you do not know which resource group contains the resource you want, complete the following steps:

    1. In the left pane, click All Computers.

    2. In the view pane, click the resource you want to associate.

    3. Under Computer Details, click the Associated Resources tab.

  4. In the Associated Resource Tasks list, click Add Associations.

  5. On the Add Associations window, enter your search criteria, and then click Search.

  6. In the Search Results list, click the resource you want to associate, and then click Add.