IRM equipment objects are used to represent many different types of real-world objects, from small and simple items like faceplates and plug-in-modules to desktop computers or from rack-mounted switches to "container" objects like racks and frames.
The IRM equipment model uses the following key terminology. These terms have a general meaning that most readers will immediately understand, but for IRM there is a very specific meaning listed below -- all of these terms name objects in IRM.
Term
Meaning in IRM
Connection
The most basic, indivisible unit of connectivity tracked by IRM, representing the place on an Equipment object where a Cable Media can connect. Connection objects do not stand alone; they are always bundled into an Equipment object. A Connection is an "instance" object and is a "helper" object for an Equipment object.
Connection Definition
A named "type" object that describes the characteristics of a single connection in a Jack Definition. Connection Definitions do not stand alone; they are always bundled into a Jack Definition object. A Connection Definition is a "helper" object for Equipment Types.
Jack Definition
A named "type" object that describes the characteristics of a connector in an Equipment Type object. It is not specific to any one Equipment Type - multiple Port Definitions from multiple Equipment Types can all reference the same Jack Definition. An example Jack Definition would be an RJ45F.
Connector Type
Like Jack Definition, Connector Type describes the general characteristics of a connector in an Equipment Type object -- it captures some information that is common across a few different Jack Definitions. Multiple Jack Definitions can all reference the same Connector Type. An example Connector Type would be an RJ45.
Port Definition
A named "type" object that describes the characteristics of a single port in an Equipment Type. Port Definitions do not stand alone; they are always bundled into a specific Equipment Type object and are not shared across Equipment Types. A Port Definition is a "helper" object for an Equipment Type.
Port
A Port object represents a physical connector on a specific piece of equipment -- it is an instance object and is a "helper" object for an Equipment object.. A Port may be internally linked to other Port(s) in the same Equipment object. This linking is how IRM represents the physical wiring that occurs between ports in some kinds of equipment, such as between an "admin" port on a patch panel and the corresponding "term" port. Ports do not stand alone; they are always bundled into a specific Equipment object and are not shared across Equipment objects.
Slot Definition
A named "type" object that describes the characteristics of a single slot in an Equipment Type. Slot Definitions do not stand alone; they are always bundled into a specific Equipment Type object and are not shared across Equipment Types. A Slot Definition is a "helper" object for an Equipment Type.
Slot
A Slot object represents a physical slot in a specific piece of equipment -- it is an instance object and is a "helper" object for an Equipment object. Slot objects do not stand alone; they are always bundled into a specific Equipment object and are not shared across Equipment objects.
Equipment Type
A named "type" object that describes the characteristics of a single type of equipment. It uses a list of Port Definitions to describe its ports and a list of Slot Definitions to describe its slots.
Equipment
An Equipment object represents a real-world piece of equipment -- it is an instance object. An Equipment object uses a list of Ports to describe its ports and a list of Slots to describe its slots. Equipment objects have a large number of additional fields that describe all aspects of the equipment.
IRM includes a set of pre-defined Equipment Categories and Types (see the subsequent sections for explanation of exactly what Categories and Types are).
This set is called the Equipment Library (a.k.a. the Product Library) and includes the following functional Categories:
Category
Description
Air Conditioning
Any type of AC unit, ceiling, wall, floor or rack mounted.
Alarms and Sensors
Any type of alarm e.g. NOX,CO, CO2, Fire, Heat, Decibels, etc
Cards and Modules
Network modules, Patch panel modules, Server Blades, SFPs and GBICS, etc.
Computers & Tablets
All PC's, Smartphones, Tablets, desk phones.
Data Storage Systems
All Floor, Rack mounted storage systems, SANS, NAS, Tape Backup, Hard drives, etc
Faceplates and UCBs
Wall, floor faceplates and under floor connection boxes or column box connection boxes.
Modems, NTUs & CSU/DSU
All types of Modems Network Termination units and Channel switching units.
Monitors and Televisions
All types of standalone displays Video walls, projection screens, Computer monitors, etc.
