HP Universal CMDB 9.02 What's New

for the Windows and Linux operating systems

Software version: 9.02 / October 2010

This file provides information about new features and enhancements to HP Universal CMDB (HP UCMDB) 9.02.

Release Highlights

Key Operational Improvements in Data Flow Management

Copying Data and Resources Between UCMDB Instances

There are various scenarios where data or resources must be copied from one instance of UCMDB to another. These scenarios may involve:

These scenarios are now better supported.

Simplified Setup for Integration Adapters

The Integration Studio in UCMDB 9.02 adds a new wizard to easily create the trigger CI or trigger CI topology (the "context") that is needed by all integration adapters that are based on Jython scripts.

You can now build your integration adapter using a custom Jython script and very simply define its context in the Integration Studio when associating the adapter to a new Integration Point. This is useful if you need to populate data in UCMDB 9.02 from a Management Data Repository but do not want to develop a Java adapter and cannot use a Generic DB adapter.

Analyzing Execution Results and Logs

Improving the Security of Credentials

UCMDB 9.02 consolidates the management of Discovery and Integration credentials by formally integrating the Data Flow Probe infrastructure with the Confidential Manager service introduced in version 9.00.

The Data Flow Probe now embeds a Confidential Manager client that can securely obtain from the Confidential Manager server the credentials needed by the Probe. The probe no longer relies on its own storage and encryption mechanisms. Client caching and server failover can also be configured (restrictions apply).

Credentials management in UCMDB 9.02 is completely controlled by the Confidential Manager both on the UCMDB server and across the Data Flow Probe infrastructure, thus improving the overall security of Data Flow Management.

All the necessary information about credentials management has been updated and is available in the UCMDB 9.02 Deployment Guide, under the hardening section.

Running the Data Flow Probe on Linux for BSM Integrations

UCMDB 9.02 adds partial support for the Data Flow Probe on Linux (Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5).

If you have deployed BSM 9.00 or higher and want to integrate the Run-time Service Model of BSM with a UCMDB 9.02 instance supporting the Configuration Management process, you can host the BSM adapter on a Data Flow Probe running either on Windows or on Linux.

Efficiency Gains at the User Interface Level

Smart Exploration of CI Topologies with Get Related Function

UCMDB 9.02 enhances the Get Related CIs pane in IT Universe Manager with the ability to select one or more CIs and to explore their topology using perspectives. If you have a complex environment, this new approach enables dynamically assembling functional or technical "views" out of the larger graph.

Rapid Development of Template-based Views

UCMDB 9.02 adds a wizard in the Modeling Studio for creating multiple, template-based views for which you can import parameter values from a CSV file. This saves time by giving you the ability to create "series of template-based views". These series could each cover a different part of your organization, and each view in the series could target a particular user function (or vice versa).

Enabling Template-based Reports

UCMDB 9.02 enables you to consume templates as a report and change the parameter values from within the report itself. In previous versions, only views could be consumed as reports. Now you can leverage your templates, significantly expanding your reporting options at no cost.

Enable External Applications to Cross Launch into UCMDB with a Parameterized URL

UCMDB 9.02 enables third party applications to embed template parameters for consumption in a URL aimed at opening a UCMDB view or a UCMDB report over the web. The final URL is assembled by UCMDB and the result returns to the requesting application with the parameters already embedded in the view or the report.

Your management applications can now automatically leverage all UCMDB template-based views and template-based reports, providing a better user experience.

Tracking Deprecated Entities in UCMDB

UCMDB 9.02 automatically identifies deprecated entities like CI Types, Relationship types, and attributes. A visual clue alerts you if you try to use them to create new data or edit existing data that depends on them. This is a useful warning/reminder to administrators.

Faster UI Client Startup

UCMDB 9.02 introduces a new client installation mode where jar files get downloaded in parallel. As a result, the applet load time is significantly reduced and you can start working on the UI more quickly. If your network link to the server has adequate bandwidth, you should see a noticeable difference.

Documentation Refresh with 3 New Video Guides

The product guides have been updated to reflect functional changes in the product. Also UCMDB 9.02 introduces three new educational videos, with audio and annotations demonstrating use cases and real world examples, on the following topics:

These videos are available as links from the documentation and under the root/Product_Feature_Movies folder. That directory also contains feature overview movies from previous versions.

The educational videos will be expanded to cover additional functionality in the future.

Reduced TCO for UCMDB

UCMDB 9.02 is officially supported on Oracle 11g Standard Edition and MS SQL Server 2008 Standard Edition, in addition to the Enterprise Editions that were previously supported for these databases.

By deploying the Standard Edition of a database, you can significantly reduce your database licensing costs (especially if you have multiple instances of UCMDB).

Note: UCMDB 9.02 does not require any of the database features attached to the Enterprise Editions of Oracle 11g and MS SQL Server 2008. However future versions of UCMDB may officially depend on such features for a specific operating mode or to achieve specific capacity and performance goals.

Content Pack 7 for UCMDB/DDM 9.0x

Content Pack 7 which was first made available for UCMDB/DDM 8.0x is now officially bundled with UCMDB 9.02. It contains the following new or updated Discovery and Integration capabilities:

Support

Visit the HP Software Support web site at http://www.hp.com/go/hpsoftwaresupport

This web site provides contact information and details about the products, services, and support that HP Software offers.

HP Software online support provides customer self-solve capabilities. It provides a fast and efficient way to access interactive technical support tools needed to manage your business. As a valued support customer, you can benefit by using the support web site to:

Most of the support areas require that you register as an HP Passport user and sign in. Many also require a support contract. To register for an HP Passport ID, go to http://h20229.www2.hp.com/passport-registration.html

To find more information about access levels, go to http://h20230.www2.hp.com/new_access_levels.jsp

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