5.4 Defining Elements from Database Information

Database element definitions tell the deployed adapter definition how and where to create elements that are based on information pulled from a database. Use the DBElement feature to create robust relationship modeling.

5.4.1 Understanding Element Organization

When creating an element definition, the requirements are organized in five main tabs:

If multiple element layers are created by different database queries that run on different schedules, the adapter might need to create a temporary parent element for the child information until the query for the parent element runs and updates. This occurs in cases where the database query might be run more frequently for the child elements because information affecting the parents is changed less often.

5.4.2 Creating an Element for Incoming Database Information

  1. In the Definition Navigator pane, select the parent element of the new element.

  2. Right-click the parent element, then select New Database Element, or click (Create a Database Element).

    An element is created under the parent element.

5.4.3 Specifying Basic Properties

To specify basic properties for database elements:

  1. Click the new element in the Definition Navigator pane.

  2. In the right pane, the Element icon is selected by default.

    The Definition Properties pane shows basic properties for the database element:

  3. Specify the Name and Description for the database element.

    This information is for definition purposes and is not displayed when the adapter is deployed and created in Operations Center.

    To simplify the element distinguished name definition hierarchy, see Section 6.2.5, Using the HierarchyKey Property to Simplify Element Naming.

  4. Enter XML in the Hierarchy XML field.

    The Hierarchy XML text area provides support for MODL (Managed Objects Definition Language) <param> tags, custom properties, and other tags that are valid with a MODL <generator> tag. You should know the XML syntax for what you want to accomplish.

    MODL is an XML-based markup language used to create HierarchyFiles for Operations Center. The HierarchyFile reflects both the nature of information received from a management system and the processing logic of the Operations Center system.

    For more information about MODL and the HierarchyFile, see Using the HierarchyFile in the Operations Center 5.5 Adapter and Integration Guide.

  5. Specify a default algorithm for the group in the Custom Algorithm field.

    For more information, see the steps below.

5.4.4 Specifying a Default Algorithm

To specify a default algorithm in the Custom Algorithm field:

  1. In the Definition Properties pane, click Edit Algorithm to open the Edit Algorithm dialog box.

  2. In the Edit Algorithm dialog box, select the Use the Default Algorithm for This Element radio button to specify no custom algorithm.

    None displays in the Custom Algorithm field in the group Definition Properties pane.

  3. To set a custom algorithm, select the Select an Alternate Algorithm radio button, then select an algorithm type from the drop-down list.

  4. Click OK to close the Edit Algorithm dialog box.

    For information on algorithms, see Using Algorithms to Calculate Element State in the Operations Center 5.5 Server Configuration Guide.

5.4.5 Implementing the Definition

Follow these steps to implement the element definition:

  1. Specify an icon.

    For instructions, see Section 4.3, Assigning an Adapter Icon.

  2. Define and test a query.

    For instructions, see Section 6.1, Defining a Query and Section 6.9, Testing Queries.

  3. Select a schedule for the query.

    For instructions, see Section 6.10, Scheduling Queries.

  4. (Optional) Define property pages for the database element and define the properties they contain at adapter runtime.

    For instructions, see Section 5.9, Defining Custom Property Pages.

5.4.6 Ensuring Adapter Element State Propagation

In the Data Integrator adapter element hierarchy, there is an option to have the child element state propagate up the hierarchy and change the state of its parent, which is the Data Integrator adapter element.

For example, if the adapter element is UNKNOWN, but its child is OK, you might want the OK state to propagate up to the parent adapter element.

To ensure state propagation from child to parent, start the Data Integrator adapter and set the top-most element to the highest algorithm. When the elements are recalculated, the parent element takes the highest child condition.

To set the element to the highest algorithm:

  1. In the Operations Center Explorer pane, under Elements, right-click the adapter root element, then select Properties to open the Status property page:

  2. In the left pane, click Condition to update the property page.

  3. Select the Select an Alternate Algorithm radio button.

  4. Select Highest from the drop-down list.

  5. Click Apply.