Cloning CMDB Items

You can create a CMDB item by copying the details of an existing one, and updating the details as required. A cloned CMDB item will be identical to the parent CMDB item in all respects.

All information, including the Extended CMDB Item Details and links, is cloned. The only difference will be the reference number.

A typical use of CMDB item cloning is where you want to enter a large number of similar CMDB items. Using this, you need only enter and save the first CMDB item. You can then keep cloning it to create the new CMDB items. Remember to keep track of how many are created this way, and that all details are cloned, except for the reference number.

If you clone a Service, any linked Service Actions that are the components of the Service will not be cloned as component Service Actions on the new Service, since the new Service will have its own Service Actions. However, any Service Actions linked through the Linked Items tab will be cloned.

You can clone frozen items. The cloned item will also be frozen. You will need to unfreeze it before you can save it.

Before you start

You must have CMDB Item Clone selected in the CMDB Items tab of your Configuration Management security role

  1. You can clone a CMDB item from the search results window or the details window:

    • Search for the CMDB item type. Then select the item you want to copy and select the Clone icon.

    • Display the CMDB Details and select Clone from the Explorer pane.

  2. The Clone <Item Type> window appears. Complete the initial fields as follows.

New CMDB Item

Select this option if you want to create a new CMDB item.

In CMDB Item Ref, specify a new reference of up to 40 characters. If you enter more, the system will truncate it.

New version of this CMDB Item

Select this to create a new version of the current CMDB item.

Select Major, Standard or Minor. A version number for the new version of the CMDB item appears in the Version Number field. You can accept it or allocate a new one.

The following fields appear if you select this option:

3. Select the options to transfer to the new CMDB item.

CMDB Item LinksSelect this to clone all the Linked Items for the current CMDB item to the cloned of the CMDB item. If the current CMDB item is linked to other CMDB items or stakeholders, this will be reflected in the cloned CMDB item

Contracts

Select this to clone the Contracts linked to the current CMDB item to the cloned CMDB item

Cost Centers

Select this to clone the Cost Centers linked to the current CMDB item to the cloned CMDB item

User/Org/Loc

Select this to clone the User, Organization and Location details from the current CMDB item to the cloned CMDB item

Financial & Vendor Information

Select this to clone the Warranty and Vendor details from the current CMDB item to the cloned CMDB item

Objects

Select this to clone the Objects attached to the current CMDB item to the cloned CMDB item

Stakeholders

Select this to clone the Stakeholder details from the current CMDB item to the cloned CMDB item

Select All

Select to clone all the above fields from the current CMDB Item to the new CMDB Item

When you clone a CMDB item, the Template checkbox is left clear on the clone even if it is selected in the original item.

4. Select OK to save the details.