Configuration Items Research Articles

Mastering IT Asset Intelligence: A Comparative Analysis of Configuration Management in ServiceNow and BMC Helix

Abstract: This research paper presents an in-depth comparison of the Configuration Management applications offered by ServiceNow and BMC Helix. The study examines key features, discovery capabilities, relationship mapping, integration with other ITSM processes, and reporting tools of both solutions. By evaluating their strengths and weaknesses in managing configuration items (CIs) and maintaining the Configuration Management Database (CMDB), this paper aims to provide insights for organizations seeking to enhance their IT asset intelligence and service delivery capabilities.

Configuration Management of Sets of Links in a Federated Tool Environment

AbstractIn the era of document‐centric systems engineering, large organizations developing complex systems had practical methods of associating drawings, specifications, requirements and other information with each other. Mostly these evolved methods involved part numbers and drawing numbers, although sometimes the methods included mundane techniques such as storing drawings in specific drawers in specific filing cabinets. These manual methods were very labor intensive, did not handle changes gracefully, and were somewhat error prone. As computer software and modeling tools began to displace paper drawings and filing cabinets, a “connect and forget” style of linking evolved. We can see this sort of thinking in the relationships in UML and SysML, but also in other places such as the use of Universally unique identifiers (UUIDs) in the XMI file format underlying UML/SysML, the relationships in DOORS and related requirements tools, as well as the original architecture of OSLC which depended on URIs embedded in design artifacts to establish relationships. While these “click to connect” features provided increased convenience compared to the previous manual numbering approaches, these “hard‐coded” links have introduced a new set of problems. The root of most of the new problems comes in the difficulty of managing this sort of extremely large set of direct links as configuration items in their own right. In a larger system, this sort of link set quickly grows to thousands or even millions of links. Managing change, modularity, variants, subsystem reuse, and so on all become very difficult in the presence of such a large, unplanned, and uncontrolled link set. In this paper, we will review the different approaches to creating and managing such sets of links and provide a concise best practices recommendation for the configuration management of such sets of links.

Comparison of solutions to the task of IT product configuration items early identification using hierarchical clusterization methods

The object of this study is the IT project configuration management process. During the research, the problem of early identification of configuration items (CI) in the information system (IS) of enterprise management was solved. Research in this field is mainly aimed at solving the task of early identification of services and microservices during the refactoring of software systems. The issue of the application of artificial intelligence methods for the detection of CI has not been sufficiently investigated. During the study, the Chameleon hierarchical clustering method was adapted to solve the problem of early identification of CI IS. This method takes into account both the internal similarity and the connectivity of individual functions of the studied IS. The adapted Chameleon method was used when solving the task of early identification of CI in the functional task "Formation and maintenance of an individual plan of a scientific and pedagogical employee of the department". 10 functions and 12 essences of the problem database were considered as the initial CIs. The result of the solution is a dendrogram with all possible options for decomposition of the description of the task architecture into individual CIs. Based on the results, a comparative analysis of the use of Chameleon, DIANA, and AGNES methods for solving the problem of early identification was carried out. According to the criteria "Number of vertices of the dendrogram", "Number of levels of decomposition of the dendrogram", and "Evenness of filling the elements of the dendrogram", the results from using the Chameleon method are the best. Using the research results allows automating the procedure of forming backlogs of IT project implementation teams. This makes it possible to improve the quality of IS development by assigning IS containing similar functions to the same IT project executor

CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT IN THE MODERN ERA: BEST PRACTICES, INNOVATIONS, AND CHALLENGES

This research paper explores the multifaceted realm of Configuration Management (CM) in the modern era, examining theoretical frameworks, best practices, innovations, and challenges. Theoretical models, including the Three-Component Model and ITIL, form the foundational understanding of CM, guiding effective identification, control, and status accounting of configuration items. Innovations such as DevOps integration, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), and containerization technologies reshape traditional CM practices, providing scalability, automation, and adaptability solutions. However, challenges such as security concerns, compliance issues, and the complexities of collaboration necessitate strategic recommendations. By embracing a holistic approach, prioritizing security, promoting collaboration, and staying informed on emerging technologies, organizations can navigate these challenges and establish resilient CM practices, ensuring the stability and reliability of their IT systems in the ever-evolving technological landscape.
 Keywords: Configuration Management, DevOps, Three-Component Model, Security.

Development of a method for solving the problem of it product configuration analysis

The object of this study is the process of managing the configuration of an IT project. During the study, the problem of analyzing the configuration of an IT product was solved. Research in this area is mainly aimed at solving the problem of configuration analysis during the refactoring of a monolithic IT product into individual services or microservices. Questions about the methods of decomposing the description of the architecture of the developed IT product into separate functional configuration items (CI) remain almost unexplored. As a result of the study, a method has been developed that makes it possible to build in the form of a dendrogram all possible options for decomposing the description of the IT product architecture into separate CIs. Unlike existing ones, the proposed method takes into account the degree of repetition of CI descriptions. The method is based on a Smith Maknaoton's divisive algorithm for solving the clustering problem. For its use, when solving the problem, the method for determining the distance between two functional CIs was modified. The devised method passed an experimental test during the development of the functional task "Formation and maintenance of the individual plan of the scientific and pedagogical employee of the department". As CI, 10 functions of the task were considered. To define these functions, the descriptions of 12 entities in the problem database were used. As a result, a dendrogram was constructed with all possible options for decomposing the description of the task architecture into separate CIs. Using the results of the study, it is possible to distinguish separate functional CIs and CI groups, the descriptions of which are strongly similar to each other. This allows one to improve the quality of IT product development by assigning such CI groups to one and the same executor of the IT project. The reported results are used to form backlogs of the IT product and further distribute their elements among the executors of the IT project

Right-dominant contextual cueing for global configuration cues, but not local position cues

Contextual cueing can depend on global configuration or local item position. We investigated the role of these two kinds of cues in the lateralization of contextual cueing effects. Cueing by item position was tested by recombining two previously learned displays, keeping the individual item locations intact, but destroying the global configuration. In contrast, cueing by configuration was investigated by rotating learned displays, thereby keeping the configuration intact but changing all item positions. We observed faster search for targets in the left display half, both for repeated and new displays, along with more first fixation locations on the left. Both position and configuration cues led to faster search, but the search time reduction compared to new displays due to position cues was comparable in the left and right display half. In contrast, configural cues led to increased search time reduction for right half targets. We conclude that only configural cues enabled memory-guided search for targets across the whole search display, whereas position cueing guided search only to targets in the vicinity of the fixation. The right-biased configural cueing effect is a consequence of the initial leftward search bias and does not indicate hemispheric dominance for configural cueing.

Enhancements to Neural Language Model for Generating System Configuration Code: A Study with Maven Dependency

Thanks to the widespread application of software frameworks, OTS components, DSLs, and new-generation software building and construction systems, leveraging system configuration code to assist in development is increasingly common, especially in agile software development. In software system implementation, the system configuration code is used to separate configuration items from the underlying logic, of which Maven dependency code is a typical example. To improve software productivity, developers often reuse existing dependency libraries. However, the large quantity, rapid iteration, and various application scenarios exacerbate the challenge for researchers to reuse the library efficiently and appropriately. Proper reuse of Maven dependencies requires correct importation, which is the research priority of this article; putting it into practical usage at the functional level is the next step. In order to overcome this barrier, researchers have proposed a number of recommendation and intelligent generation models based on deep learning algorithms and code learning strategies. We first introduce an enhancement path for the generation model in order to propose novel models that are more targeted than previous studies. We propose EMGSCC (Enhanced Model for Generating System Configuration Code), which generates accompanying dependency libraries based on the libraries already employed by the current system. EMGSCC uses content-based attention to cope with dependency language features and integrate additional domain information. Finally, we evaluate EMGSCC on the DDDI dataset with extra domain information, and findings show that improvement varies from 1% to 8% on all metrics compared with the baseline. We show empirical evidence of our enhancement path for generating system configuration code based on neural language models, and continuous improvement in this direction would yield promising results.

The Research of Adaptive Data Desensitization Method Based on Middle Platform

With the popularization of Middle Platform characterized by data aggregating and governance, the security protection of data is paying more and more attention, and the data desensitization technology is widely used. In order to solve the high threshold for use, high customization, and lack of stability caused by conventional data desensitization methods, a desensitization strategy configuration system based on desensitization intensity and desensitization algorithm weight was established. The methods of reidentification risk assessment and information security attribute assessment were used to classify and quantify configuration items, and then, an adaptive desensitization strategy configuration method was proposed which not only simplifies the configuration process but also provides reliable desensitization data flexibly and stably for application requirements. It is beneficial to the development of an intelligent automatic data desensitization system.

Systems Engineering Integration and Test Challenges due to Security Measures in a Cloud‐Based System

AbstractCloud based systems have become popular with company's Chief Information Officers and Chief Technical Officers due to their ability to support a wide range of Web based applications and services including; scalability to allow users to increase/decrease their cloud footprint real time based on demand, load balancing to optimize computing performance, and failover which allows processing/memory assets to be reassigned real time when a failure is detected or predicted on the current processing assets. In addition, organizations can lower their Information Technology (IT) costs by deferring their infrastructure maintenance/costs to the Cloud Service Provider (CSP). However, Cloud‐based security threats and mitigations are well documented in literature, and address multiple client side, network, and cloud side (service/application and data) vulnerabilities. Defined mitigations include the use of access control, encryption, key management, digital signatures, and intrusion detection/prevention systems to yield a secure cloud‐based system. Implementing these security measures adds significant system functionality to the already complex cloud‐based system that must be assessed by the system architect. The additional requirements and development must be managed by the systems engineering team, and the increased integration and test must be addressed by the systems engineering integration and test lead. This paper will highlight the scope growth realized when a system interfaces into the cloud, relative to equivalent non‐cloud based systems. The added scope will be shown to include the development, integration and test of security related hardware and software configuration items, development of significant integrated test equipment/test vectors to verify the security functionality over a wide range of conditions, multiple cooperative systems/software led activities to analyze and test software throughout its development, and the system accreditation efforts to get authorization to tie into the cloud. With this information, the systems engineering leads will have a better understanding of the challenges involved with integrating and testing a cloud‐based system and can then properly plan and budget for this activity. This paper will focus specifically on a public cloud based implementation. Hybrid and private cloud implementations will not be addressed herein.

A Real-Time Detection Method of Software Configuration Errors Based on Fine-Grained Configuration Item Types

With the continuous expansion of software scale and the continuous complexity of software functions, abnormal parameter configuration often brings adverse effects to the software system and even leads to system failure. Therefore, a method is needed to detect whether the parameter configuration is correct. Most of the current configuration errors detection methods focus on the passive diagnosis after the system failure, which cannot solve the potential delay problem of configuration error. This paper proposes an automatic real-time detection method of software configuration errors, in which the configuration items are classified based on the fine-grained configuration item types and related syntax patterns, and the configuration constraint rule base is generated. Then, the real-time exception detection of configuration update operation is realized by using the file operation monitoring function. The experimental results show that this method can accurately classify the types of configuration items and verify the effectiveness of detecting software configuration update exceptions in real time through the constraint rule base. The classification accuracy reaches up to 90.4% on MySQL and 87.4% on Apache.

Intelligent Software Service Configuration Technology Based on Association Mining

Association relationship and types between software service configuration parameters determine that the configuration items must meet the corresponding rules and constraints in parameter value and setting order. However, the distribution of software services and the architecture based on the loose coupling of heterogeneous components make the association of configuration parameters more concealed. The correlation and constraints of configuration parameters are crucial to ensure system configuration. When deploying, migrating, and updating systems, violating constraints will lead to configuration errors, resulting in system failures. To minimize the loss caused by configuration errors, association rules between configuration items can be mined to avoid potential incorrect settings. This paper proposes an intelligent software service configuration technology based on association mining by analyzing configuration items. The sample data of the configuration file is extracted from the open source code base, and the configuration file is parsed to obtain the configuration item name and value. Then mine the association rule of each configuration item pair based on the configuration item name, value, and type. According to the mined configuration constraints, configuration item error detection, cascade update and value recommendation are performed. Finally, the proposed method is tested and evaluated on six typical open source software, and the experimental results prove the accuracy and effectiveness of the method in this paper.

The cost/benefit strategic grid approach: a decision support method for design and improvement of configuration management databases

The purpose of this study is to propose an approach to measure the costs and benefits of attributes in configuration items (CIs) to assist in the design and continual improvement of CIs in configuration management databases (CMDB). A cost/benefit strategic grid method was proposed. Based on the usefulness and induced costs of each attribute, the degree of benefits and costs of each attribute are calculated. With a defined acceptance level of cost and an expected level of benefits, all attributes can be portrayed on a strategic grid divided into four quadrants accompanied with four suggested actions on improving the configuration attribute. The case study demonstrates that the method can effectively provide guidelines for practitioners to design and improve CIs and CMDBs.

A framework for Model-Driven Engineering of resilient software-controlled systems

Emergent paradigms of Industry 4.0 and Industrial Internet of Things expect cyber-physical systems to reliably provide services overcoming disruptions in operative conditions and adapting to changes in architectural and functional requirements. In this paper, we describe a hardware/software framework supporting operation and maintenance of software-controlled systems enhancing resilience by promoting a Model-Driven Engineering (MDE) process to automatically derive structural configurations and failure models from reliability artifacts. Specifically, a reflective architecture developed around digital twins enables representation and control of system Configuration Items properly derived from SysML Block Definition Diagrams, providing support for variation. Besides, a plurality of distributed analytic agents for qualitative evaluation over executable failure models empowers the system with runtime self-assessment and dynamic adaptation capabilities. We describe the framework architecture outlining roles and responsibilities in a System of Systems perspective, providing salient design traits about digital twins and data analytic agents for failure propagation modeling and analysis. We discuss a prototype implementation following the MDE approach, highlighting self-recovery and self-adaptation properties on a real cyber-physical system for vehicle access control to Limited Traffic Zones.

Conveying Results from Qualitative Comparative Analyses within Systematic Reviews: A Randomized Trial

Research ObjectiveQualitative comparative analysis (QCA) is a supplemental method proposed for synthesizing results from systematic reviews of complex interventions but is unfamiliar to most end users of systematic reviews. In our previous research, end users identified several barriers to understanding QCA results, including presentation formats. The objective of this study was to identify the most effective presentation approach to communicating results from a QCA within the context of a systematic review.Study DesignRandomized experiment. We provided all participants with information about a hypothetical systematic review of a complex intervention for a common health condition then randomized each participant to review the results of the QCA in 1 of 3 presentation formats (text, table, or graphic). Each format contained the same results information. We then assessed ease of understanding (ie, subjective comprehension) and objective comprehension of the QCA results with an online questionnaire.Population Studied254 clinicians, public health practitioners, policy makers, and health researchers who had read at least 1 systematic review within the previous 5 years that we recruited via email from U.S.‐ and U.K.‐based public health, health care, and academic organizations.Principal FindingsWe found a statistically significant difference (P = .035) across the 3 presentation formats in subjective comprehension as assessed by an index we created from 6 items (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.89). The mean subjective comprehension was highest for the graphic format (2.61 [SD 0.56]) followed by text (2.57 [SD 0.55]) and table (2.40 [SD 0.55])) on a scale of 1 (poor comprehension) to 4 (good comprehension). In preplanned comparisons, participants who were randomized to the graphic format scored higher compared to the table (P = .018), and participants allocated to text format scored higher compared to table (P = .034), but these differences were not considered statistically significant based on a Bonferroni‐adjusted P value of .0167.We assessed objective comprehension with 7 items designed to assess parameter interpretation and 7 items designed to assess configuration interpretation. The mean number of correct parameter items was 4.04 (SD 1.84), and the mean number of correct configuration items was 4.61 (SD 1.36). No significant differences across presentation formats were observed across groups with regard to objective comprehension overall (P = .071). However, we identified a statistically significant difference across groups for parameter interpretation (P = .001) but not for configuration interpretation (P = .090). For parameter interpretation, scores among participants that received the graphic format were significantly higher (4.70) than scores for participants who received the text (mean 3.88, P = .001) or table (mean 3.67, P = .004) formats.Study limitations include the use of a convenience sample, evaluation of the different formats using only 1 example systematic review, and participants did not evaluate one format against another.ConclusionsA table may be the least effective format for presenting results related to a QCA within a systematic review of a complex intervention. A graphic format appears to be superior on some measures of objective comprehension.Implications for Policy or PracticeResearchers using QCA within a systematic review should be aware of differences in reader understanding based on presentation format and should consider communicating results with a graphic when possible.Primary Funding SourceAgency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

A Standard Description of the Terms Module and Modularity for Systems Engineering

The terms module and modularity are not part of the technical taxonomy in any of the systems engineering standards, which do not regard a module as a part of the formal system breakdown structure. In this paper, we redefine the term module as a unit composed of a set of components with a set of specific interfaces. This unit serves one or more purely nonfunctional goals, such as flexibility, evolvability, manufacturability, testability, and maintainability. According to this definition, a configuration item, a subsystem, an assembly, a subassembly, or a component can all be regarded as modules as they can serve nonfunctional goals. The important assertion here is that a module's boundaries do not necessarily coincide with those dictated by the functional or spatial system decomposition and hierarchy. The aim of this paper is to lay the foundations for the future standardization of various engineering design processes based on modularity for nonfunctional benefits. A clear definition of the terms module and modularity can assist systems designers and developers to optimize the value of a modular system. This research highlights the present inconsistencies in the field of modular system design and puts forward some critical questions, which will shape the future research into this field.

Third-party Evaluation of the Flight Control Software

Flight control software which is the core of missile flight control system guides and controls missile flight along program trajectory. Effective testing of flight control software is an important means to ensure the quality of flight control system. Software testing and evaluation is the comprehensive measurement and assessment of the software quality in according with relevant standards taken by the independent third-party testing and evalution organizations according to the requirements of entrustors. This paper mainly tests the configuration items of flight control software. Firstly, the characteristics of the software under test are introduced. Then, the testing strategies, methods and environment are given. Finally, the test results are analyzed.

Green & Safe Environmental Technology with Sustainable Development

This exploration paper centers around the idea of green technology that has risen up out of the purpose of trouble created because of biological lopsidedness. Along these lines, environmental insurance has become a key concern around the world. It is brought about by the predominant biological troubles. The scope of concentrates that have been incorporated into green technology is to configuration, alter, and change items towards sustainable development. This likewise incorporates adjustment in the generation strategy, bundling process, and limited time movement to make environmental cognizance among purchasers. Today, the focal point of our general public is to achieve sustainable development in all perspectives. The examination paper audits the writing dependent on the green technology mediation approach and sustainable development for unraveling environmental issues in the present situation. This includes biological prosperity by temperance of financial needs through condition benevolent item and techniques for the present and future age. It endeavors for interlinking green technology with sustainable development for environmental safety.

Safe Artificial General Intelligence via Distributed Ledger Technology

Artificial general intelligence (AGI) progression metrics indicate AGI will occur within decades. No proof exists that AGI will benefit humans and not harm or eliminate humans. A set of logically distinct conceptual components is proposed that are necessary and sufficient to (1) ensure various AGI scenarios will not harm humanity, and (2) robustly align AGI and human values and goals. By systematically addressing pathways to malevolent AI we can induce the methods/axioms required to redress them. Distributed ledger technology (DLT, “blockchain”) is integral to this proposal, e.g., “smart contracts” are necessary to address the evolution of AI that will be too fast for human monitoring and intervention. The proposed axioms: (1) Access to technology by market license. (2) Transparent ethics embodied in DLT. (3) Morality encrypted via DLT. (4) Behavior control structure with values at roots. (5) Individual bar-code identification of critical components. (6) Configuration Item (from business continuity/disaster recovery planning). (7) Identity verification secured via DLT. (8) “Smart” automated contracts based on DLT. (9) Decentralized applications—AI software modules encrypted via DLT. (10) Audit trail of component usage stored via DLT. (11) Social ostracism (denial of resources) augmented by DLT petitions. (12) Game theory and mechanism design.

Business Process Management e information technology infrastructure library no processo de gerenciamento de liberação de versão

The Version Release Management process is responsible for implementing changes in the Information Technology infrastructure environment through the use of a set of configuration items. If there is a change in these configuration items, it is necessary to intervene and restructure the process to eliminate failures. In situations like this the BPM methodology is used in the documentation, manipulation and formalization of business processes. It also uses the ITIL framework in the implementation of service management focused on people, processes and resources used. The software developer company discussed in this article introduced the change in the distribution of configuration items that are part of this process causing problems in the Version Release Management process. Professional intervention is required with the use of the BPM methodology and the ITIL framework for its restructuring and elimination of failures. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate the application of the BPM methodology and the ITIL framework in the Version Release Management process in a software development company. To achieve this goal a qualitative approach was used, divided into two phases: Phase 1, definition and mapping of the Version Release Management process with the application of the BPM methodology and Phase 2, application of the ITIL framework on the process already defined.

A Study on the Development of Service Quality Scale in Traditional Market for Big Data Analysis

The purpose of this study is to develop a measure of service quality in the traditional market by examining previous research on the service quality of the traditional market studied so far. After defining basic concepts through definition of traditional market and existing studies, 5 categories of configuration items for SERVQUAL measurement in traditional market were made up based on existing researches related to definition of service quality and service quality of traditional market. A survey was conducted on the items that fit the intention of this study and various statistical analyzes were conducted. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 22.0 and AMOS 22.0. The reliability of the items was measured by the reliability test, and the predictability and accuracy of the items were examined. The validity of the measured variables was verified through confirmatory factor analysis. Reliability, empathy, responsiveness, certainty, and tangibility were the most important factors in this study. Responsiveness factors include communication, time reduction, real time, promptness. Assurance factors include the assurance of delivery, prompt answers, product knowledge items. Tangibility factors include, convenient device systems, location information, presence as a fact, and as a result, the latest modern items are adopted. The quality of service in the traditional market developed in this study was found to be good in reliability and validity test. Confirmatory factor analysis result using structural equation model also met the conformity index standard. If service satisfaction is measured based on this research, basic data can be presented to policy makers who implement policies on traditional markets to make the right decisions. In addition, it will be able to provide traditional market operators with operational strategy and marketing data. In the future, based on the traditional market service quality scale developed in this study, it is necessary to grasp the factors to be continuously managed to improve the service quality of the traditional market, user satisfaction, and intention to use.