ETL export and import items relationship

[DCIM_Support]

This question was originally posted on DCIM Support by Akihiro Yamagami on 2018-09-13

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I'd like to confirm the relationship between ETL export data and import data.
As far as I tested in my environment, I currently understand like below.

• ETL export is to export "General" properties of DCO items.
• ETL import is to import "External System" properties which can be associated with DCO items.  This is not for update "General" properties of DCO items.

Is my understanding correct?

Before testing, I personally assumed that ETL import will be also available for updating the "General" properties.
(I assume because because the table fields of configuration_item for import and export are quite similar.)

Then, I tried to import the configuration item with existing ci_id.
But imported data is assinged as "External Systems" properties.
So, I understand as described in the above.

I will be back to the office on next Tuesday and confirm answers. Sorry, in advance.

I also attach the pictures which I have tested.

• Imported data is detected.

• Imported data is associated as "External System" properties.

• "General" properties is not affected.

Regards,

Akihiro Yamagami

(CID:134031424)

[DCIM_Support · Accepted solution]

This answer was originally posted on DCIM Support by Benjamin Bjørn Larsen on 2018-09-13

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Hi Akihiro,

You're quite right in your assumptions, that (mainly) the general properties are not replaced, with values from the import Job. Instead the values will be present in the "External Systems" tab. It is however currently possible under the External System Configuration, to set the import job to Use the names from the imported devices, as the name in the "General" tab.

As a little treat:

The ETL import functionality can be used for much more, than "just" getting a few properties from an external system. You can also import measurements to your equipment, add network ports and connections between imported (associated) equipment etc. 

In the Export database, you'll be able to find the link between an associated device, from an External system (this can be a number of different types of systems, for instance either an ETL Import or Data Center Expert Integration). This functionality can be used to pull/push information from/to an external system, using the identification method the external system recognises. That is a kind of task we've made in different variations, in the past, fully tailor made for the customers use-case. To request such service would require you to reach out to your local sales representative, though. 

I hope this is explanatory enough for you, otherwise, feel free to question the specifics that is unclear.

Best regards,

Benjamin

(CID:134031616)

[DCIM_Support]

This comment was originally posted on DCIM Support by Akihiro Yamagami on 2018-09-18

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I understand well. Thank you for your kind explanations!

(CID:134033088)

[DCIM_Support]

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