How to Build a Service Tree in CMDB for Efficient Resource Management

Service tree is a CMDB resource organization method that combines a tree structure with the company’s organizational hierarchy, enabling developers to clearly see which resources they are using.

Service Tree Design

The service tree consists of three layers: Department / Product / Service . All resources are attached under the service layer.

1. People Collection

This layer corresponds to a node in the company’s org chart; the hierarchy is flexible, and each branch under a department is managed by the people assigned to that node.

2. Department Layer

Maps the organizational structure onto the service tree, primarily to identify the responsible department for cost and availability functions.

3. Product Layer

Connects services and people; a product aggregates multiple services that together provide a unified functionality to users, inheriting department‑related data from above and grouping services below.

4. Service Layer

Represents collections of resources, each service being a distinct set of resources.

Ultimately, the service tree attaches all machine resources to this hierarchical structure.

Operation Process

Using an open‑source CMDB, we quickly implement a service tree for server resources by using resource attributes as tags to create the hierarchical structure.

Step 1: Create Corresponding Attributes

Model Configuration → Attribute Library → Add Attribute

Step 2: Department → department_name

Step 3: Product → product_name

Step 4: Service → service_name

Step 5: Server Model Modification

Bind attributes to the corresponding resources.

5.1 Model Configuration → Model Management → Select the model to modify

5.2 Choose the attribute to bind

Step 6: Resource Entry

When entering each resource, specify its department, product, and service.

Step 7: Tree View Subscription

Modify the tree view subscription configuration in My Subscriptions.

Select the tree view structure as shown.

Step 8: Suggested Service Tree

Conclusion

By linking departments and products with the company’s organizational structure, each resource can be associated with its responsible department, simplifying management and enabling accurate cost accounting.

Open‑source CMDB link: https://github.com/pycook/cmdb

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