The Blockchain CMDBHow to Build-in Accuracy, Reliability and Security into a CMDB Implementation

Author: Michael Stroh (MBCS)Date: 13 Feb 2018Venue: BCS CMSG Event

Agenda

What is Blockchain?

Use Case 1: ITSM Processes (Incident, Problem, Change)

How can blockchain help the CMDB?

Blockchain and Distributed Ledgers

Use Case 2: Automated Discovery of Data Centre Devices

Conclusion

Agenda

What is Blockchain?

Use Case 1: ITSM Processes (Incident, Problem, Change)

How can blockchain help the CMDB?

Blockchain and Distributed Ledgers

Use Case 2: Automated Discovery of Data Centre Devices

Conclusion

What is Blockchain? (1)

● Type of data structure - literally “chain of blocks”

● Like a database, but only adds allowed● Distributed instead of centralised

What is Blockchain? (2)

● Each new block added by using cryptographic key

● Block’s ID generated by joining the key and the data in the block

● Copies of blockchain sent to, and authorised by connected nodes

What is Blockchain? (3)

Databases + Networks = Blockchain

- E.F Codd (1970): relational data model- T. Berners-Lee (1989): connected networks of

computers send data to each other- S. Nakamoto (2009): blockchain: the new way

to share data

What is Blockchain? (4)

Databases

- Before Codd, no real database standards- Each program had its own data structures- Algorithms written specifically one-off tailored to bespoke

data structures- Reinventing the wheel- E.F Codd (1970): Created relational data model- Created standard, structured way to access data (SQL)

What is Blockchain? (5)

Networks

- Before Berners-Lee, all sorts of networks- Difficult to communicate with devices outside of one’s own

network- Tim Berners-Lee (1989): invented World Wide Web: http

protocol connected networks and computers- One standard

What is Blockchain? (6)

Connecting Databases on Networks

- Errors found in early database connections

- Solution 1: Hub and spoke model: banks became trusted intermediaries

- Solution 2: Blockchain: the new way to share data

What is Blockchain?

Compared with current centralised methods:

Advantages ● Creates trust between unknown parties● Distributed records means it can’t be lost● Reduced transaction costs● Reduced transaction times

Disadvantages● New and unknown technology● No legal framework

Agenda

What is Blockchain?

Use Case 1: ITSM Processes (Incident, Problem, Change)

How can blockchain help the CMDB?

Blockchain and Distributed Ledgers

Use Case 2: Automated Discovery of Data Centre Devices

Conclusion

Blockchain and Distributed Ledgers

● Ledgers, foundation of accounting: as ancient as writing and money.

● From clay tablets to electronic spreadsheets

● Latest incarnation the “distributed ledger” (DL)

Blockchain and Distributed Ledgers

● Blockchains ○ allows the creation of distributed ledgers○ build in trust and accountability into the ledger

● No central control authority

Agenda

What is Blockchain?

Use Case 1: ITSM Processes (Incident, Problem, Change)

How can blockchain help the CMDB?

Blockchain and Distributed Ledgers

Use Case 2: Automated Discovery of Data Centre Devices

Conclusion

First, a Definition - the CMDB

● Configuration Management Data Base (CMDB): means of storing information relating to state of Configuration Items (CIs) of IT estate

● CIs consist in hardware, software and relationships among them

● CMDB stores date/time stamped state changes to CIs ● CMDB: System of Record for all ITSM processes - Incident,

Change, Asset, Release Management

How can blockchain help the CMDB? (1)

● Secure log created for devices and events in data centre

● Contained in private blockchain-based distributed ledger (DL)

● Daily log of all transactions added to DL● (Or individual transactions)● Each time event occurs, block is added

to DL● Then, copy of DL saved on each node

How can blockchain help the CMDB? (2)

● Cost of maintaining trust and accuracy reduced dramatically● No automated discovery applications required to maintain

accurate CMDB● No requirement for discovery projects● No credential provisioning and verification tasks● Change, Incident and Problem Management events inherently

become transactions in the CMDB

Agenda

What is Blockchain?

Use Case 1: ITSM Processes (Incident, Problem, Change)

How can blockchain help the CMDB?

Blockchain and Distributed Ledgers

Use Case 2: Automated Discovery of Data Centre Devices

Conclusion

Use Case 1: ITSM Processes (Incident, Problem, Change)

Event Normal CMDB Blockchain CMDB

Create incident, problem, change event

Associate CI with eventAdd event to CMDB table

Add a block to the DL;Copy DL to all nodes

Update incident, problem, change

Update CMDB table Add a block to the DL;Copy DL to all nodes

Close incident, problem, change

Update CMDB table Add a block to the DL;Copy DL to all nodes

Agenda

What is Blockchain?

Use Case 1: ITSM Processes (Incident, Problem, Change)

How can blockchain help the CMDB?

Blockchain and Distributed Ledgers

Use Case 2: Automated Discovery of Data Centre Devices

Conclusion

Use Case 2: Automated Discovery of Data Centre Devices

● All changes to device (CI) registered on DL on device

● Copies of DL sent out to all other network nodes

● Authorised using cryptography

Use Case 2: Automated Discovery of Data Centre Devices

● Comparison of discovery assisted vs. blockchain-based CMDB

Task Discovery Assisted CMDB Blockchain CMDB

Commission a device into the network

Discovery scan finds device and adds a CI to the CMDB

As a device is connected to the network, a new transaction block is added to the CMDB blockchain

Update a device Discovery scan finds the device and updates the CMDB

Add an “updated” transaction block to the CMDB blockchain

Delete a device Discovery scan fails to find the device and removes it from the CMDB

Add a “deleted” transaction block to the CMDB blockchain

Agenda

What is Blockchain?

Use Case 1: ITSM Processes (Incident, Problem, Change)

How can blockchain help the CMDB?

Blockchain and Distributed Ledgers

Use Case 2: Automated Discovery of Data Centre Devices

Conclusion

Conclusion

● Accurate, reliable, secure CMDB achieved without using discovery tools

● Devices secured by existence of local copy of CMDB● Costs of CMDB maintenance reduced● Distributed technology means no single point of failure

References

Bauerle, N., (2018) What is a Distributed Ledger? URL:

https://www.coindesk.com/information/what-is-a-distributed-ledger/

Lim, M., (2016), What is Blockchain? URL: https://fifthperson.com/how-the-blockchain-might-disrupt-the-banking-financial-industries/

Baloiu, A. (2015) When the Blockchain Technology meets the Internet of Things, URL: https://www.rs-online.com/designspark/when-the-blockchain-technology-meets-the-internet-of-things

Stroh, M.J. (2016), The Internet of Things : Configuring the Internet of Things with the Ledger of Things, URL: http://www.bcs.org/category/19035

Gupta,V., (2015), Programmable Blockchains in Context, URL: https://media.consensys.net/programmable-blockchains-in-context-ethereum-s-future-cd8451eb421e

Questions