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.
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Term
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Meaning in IRM
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Connection
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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.
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Connection Definition
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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.
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Jack Definition
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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.
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Connector Type
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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.
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Port Definition
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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.
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Port
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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.
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Slot Definition
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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.
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Slot
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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.
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Equipment Type
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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.
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Equipment
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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.
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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:
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Category
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Description
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Air Conditioning
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Any type of AC unit, ceiling, wall, floor or rack mounted.
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Alarms and Sensors
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Any type of alarm e.g. NOX,CO, CO2, Fire, Heat, Decibels, etc
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Cards and Modules
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Network modules, Patch panel modules, Server Blades, SFPs and GBICS, etc.
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Computers & Tablets
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All PC's, Smartphones, Tablets, desk phones.
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Data Storage Systems
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All Floor, Rack mounted storage systems, SANS, NAS, Tape Backup, Hard drives, etc
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Faceplates and UCBs
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Wall, floor faceplates and under floor connection boxes or column box connection boxes.
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Modems, NTUs & CSU/DSU
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All types of Modems Network Termination units and Channel switching units.
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Monitors and Televisions
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All types of standalone displays Video walls, projection screens, Computer monitors, etc.
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Office Equipment
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Phones, Printers, Faxes, Televisions, Projectors, furniture, tables, chairs, etc
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Patch panels & Connecting Blocks
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Copper and fiber patch panels, , modules, 100 blocks, 66 blocks, etc.
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Peripherals
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Keyboards, Mice, Memory cards, Standalone hard drives, etc.
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Power Distribution
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Consumer Units, PDU's, RPP's ,UPS, Breakers, Power strips, Batteries.
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Power Supplies
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Any type of plug in power supplies for chassis and servers.
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Racks, Cabinets & Frames
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All Racks, Cabinet, Telco frames and wallboard definition.
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Routers, Switches & Muxes
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All type of network switch and router devices including KVM and Video switches
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Security Hardware
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Cameras, KeyPads, Retina Scanners, Biometric pads
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Servers and Blades
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Standalone, Rack mounted and blade units and blade cards
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Splice Housings
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Used for all types of fiber and copper splicing
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Transceivers & Media Converters
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Any type of media converter or transceiver
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