If you want to manage network nevices in the CMDB you have two options: Either create your own class and attributes for those devices or use the default classesthat are delivered with System Center. If you choose option 1, you are more flexible as you can build the class from ground up for your needs. Option 2 however is good if you are using SCOM and want to sync devices that live in SCOM to the CMDB.  If needed, you can also manually add network devices to the CMDB using the same classes so that you get a single view on all those devices. In this port I will focus on option 2.

First I assume you will sync objects from SCOM to the CMDB. Some preparation is needed for this and so we need import the SCOM Management Packs to SCSM. The files are available from the SCSM installation directory on the SCSM management server. First we need to import the base MPs by running the script that is delivered.

After a minute or two the base MPs are imported. Now let’s import the SCOM specific MPs that are also available from the SCSM installation directory on the SCSM management server. Depending if you are running SCOM 2012 or SCOM 2012 SP1, import them from the appropriate folders by using the MP import task in the SCSM console.

Next we need to bring in the classes for the network devices and components. They live in a management pack called “System.NetworkManagement.Library”. That MP is delivered in the “ManagementPacks” folder from SCOM source. Copy it over the the SCSM management server and import it.

Now we are ready to sync over the discovered and managed network devices from SCOM (if any) to the CMDB. For that, the SCOM CI connector must be configured. Open the connector, hit refresh and enter the password of the connector account. Select the “System.NetworkManagement.Library” and synchronize the connector. The class instances (network device objects) are now synced over to the CMDB.

Because there are no views to display the synced objects, we need to create one or multiple views on our own.

Select the basic class “Node” which represents most of the devices you may be interested.

You can now see the synced objects from SCOM (if any) and can start creating network device objects manually.

The below picture digs a little deeper into the different classes that are available, just in case you need some documentation. I only added the most important classes to this picture (not all available classes that somehow relate to network devices).

You cannot extend abstract classes and also cannot create objects of those. If that is a requirement, you need to focus on the non-abstract classes.

Cheers
Marcel