Introducing the Data Model

Understanding the Data Model
The Data Model is comprised of
Objects
that are represented in
Database tables
. This allows the contents of the Objects to easily be searched, displayed by the User Interface, formatted into Reports, and subject to Compliance Tests.
Each of these
Objects
has a set of
Attributes
that may be present. Some Attributes are required to be present, whereas others are optional.
While most of the Attributes in an Object typically represent information collected about the Device's configuration or operational state, all Objects in the Database have some additional Attributes that are used to facilitate their storage in the database, such as database keys.
The
Attributes
may be of various types. Here are the currently supported primitive types.
tabletypes
The external representation of the Data Model is defined by an XML schema known as the DeviceConfigurationState.xsd, and other associated
Metadata
maintained in Network Configuration Manager's Database, and in the Device Packages.
The schema is subdivided into Configuration Units, which represent a unit of information that Device drivers know how to
pull or push
.
Each Device Package may have its own unique set of supported Configuration Units, however a Configuration Unit must be configured in the
Metadata
to be accessible by Network Configuration Manager.
The Metadata used by the application is visible within the application, by selecting
Tools
then
Metadata
.
See: Object Types