ITIL training describes configuration and service asset management as one key process in the ITIL Service Transition stage. It requires certain tools to ensure efficiency and effectiveness. ITIL online courses provide many tools that can be used to assist with the configuration and service asset management process. The Definitive Media Library, or DML, is one of these tools. DML is a secure location where all software configuration items can be found in their final and approved versions.
Configuration records are used to store information and details about configuration items. This information and details can be found in storages, external drives, CD-ROMs or DVD-ROMs. A Microsoft Office CD-ROM, for example, is a configuration item that is stored on a CD-ROM. The definitive media library is where all configuration item data and details are kept.
It also contains configuration items
DML can also contain configuration items like documentation and licenses. If Microsoft Windows is installed first, then a Microsoft Office license cannot be installed on a company’s computer. This is a relationship between two licences. This type of association can be included on the definitive media library.
It is a single, logical storage space
The definitive media library is one logical storage area, even if it contains multiple locations. All software in the definitive library is subject to change and release management. It is also recorded in the configuration management program. Information about IT service providers’ configuration items can be stored in multiple locations and storage locations. The definitive media library includes all storage locations and physical locations that contain details and associations for configuration items. The definitive media library must contain the most current information about each configuration item. Anytime a release, revision, or information changes to a configuration item, it must also be updated in DML.
Only software from the definitive library can be used
Only software from the definitive library is allowed to be used in a release. Let’s take a look at a service. Newer releases and revisions will be published depending on the number of requests and problems fixed. Only the version that is available in the definitive library can be used in a release, as this service is associated with other configuration items.
Relationships in a definitive library of media
This figure shows the relationship between definitive media library, configuration database and release management. As you can see, electronic and physical configurations are stored in DML. Information about each configuration item as well as their relationship to each other is stored within the configuration management database. Only the definitive media library has available releases that can be used to build a new version of a release. After a new release has been built, testing is initiated to verify that there are no problems. If there are no problems during testing, the implementation of the tested release begins. The DML updates the new release.
How to create a media library
First, the IT service provider must decide what the organization considers “definitive media.” Are they software, documentation, or licenses? The IT service provider must decide what should be under DML control. The DML functions as a specialized Configuration Management Database. The DML functions as a specialized Configuration Management Database. Therefore, all rules for configuration management, ITIL change management and release/deployment administration would apply. Once you have your definition, it is time to start implementing it.