Introduction to
TQL
Lesson # 8
HP UCMDB 8.0 Essentials
© 2008 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
The information contained herein is subject to change without notice
About this Chapter
Lesson Objectives
In this lesson, you will learn how to:
• Describe the purpose and use of Topology Query Language
(TQL)
• Describe the applications and systems that use TQL
• Create a basic TQL query
• Use Attribute conditions on a TQL to filter the results
• Use Cardinality conditions on a TQL to filter the results
• Use Element ID conditions on a TQL to filter the results
• Use the Include Subtypes property
• Create a query to extract information from the CMDB to
solve business problems
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Topology Query Language Overview
Introduction to TQL
TQL stands for Topology Query Language
TQL is a graphical language composed of nodes and
links
TQL is the method for finding data in the CMDB
TQL is a constraint language, like Prolog or SQL
TQL queries are composed of assertions. TQL queries
return objects which match the criteria
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Topology Query Language Overview
TQL Dependant Subsystems
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Topology Query Language Overview
TQL Query Process
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Topology Query Language Overview
TQL Query Example
TQL
result
TQL
Query
CMDB
data
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Topology Query Language Overview
Building a TQL Query
Add nodes and relationships
•
Graphical expression of nodes and links
• Defines the data to be returned from the CMDB
Filter the resulting TQL
•
Constraints to limit the CIs returned from the CMDB
• TQL node condition
• TQL relationship condition
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Topology Query Language Overview
Constraint Types
CIT Instance Attributes
• Specific value or a range of values of an attribute
– Host IP must begin with “192.168.*”
– Host OS must equal Linux
Relationships among CIT instances
• Cardinality of linked nodes
– A host should have exactly two network interfaces
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Topology Query Language Overview
Attribute Constraints
Constraints based on an intrinsic characteristic of an
object
May be chained using Boolean logic (A and B or C)
Available constraints are based on the SQL “where
clause” query syntax
Constraints include =, !=, <. >, NULL, NOT NULL,
LIKE, NOT LIKE & LIKE ignore case
Example:
• Host object with a DNS Name of “foo.bar.com”
• Host with operating system like %Windows 2003%
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Topology Query Language Overview
Relationship Constraints
Cardinality
• Constraint based on relationships between instances
• Can be applied to one or both ends of a link between two
nodes
• May be used in combination with other constraints
Examples
• 1..* -- At least one to one, possibly to many
• 0..* -- Optional
• 0..0 -- Must not be there
• 7..14 -- Must be in the range 7 to 14
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Topology Query Language Overview
Common Cardinality Constraints
0..*
• Indicates none or more
• The CI may or may not exist
• The CI is optional
0..0
• Indicates that the CI has no CIs linked to it
• None may exist
1..*
• Indicates that the CI has at least one CI linked to it
• 1 to many
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TQL DISCOVERY: ACTIVITY
Single Object Discovery
Assume the CMDB is populated with the following basic
geometric shapes. Each shape represents a component of the
environment. What does this TQL select from the CMDB?
TQL
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TQL DISCOVERY: ACTIVITY
Multiple Object Discovery
What does this TQL select from the CMDB?
TQL
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TQL DISCOVERY: ACTIVITY
Complex Discovery
What does this TQL select from the CMDB?
TQL
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TQL DISCOVERY: ACTIVITY
Discovery Filter
How would we modify this TQL to return all squares, and also any circles
attached to squares?
TQL
0..*
1..*
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Topology Query Language Overview
TQL Usage Across the Modeling Managers
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Topology Query Language Overview
New TQL Overview
Defines the name, type and
properties of the TQL
TQL Types
• View
• Report
• Correlation
• Enrichment
• Integration
• Discovery
Structure to hold the links and
nodes
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Identity
Topology Query Language Overview
Creating a New TQL
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Topology Query Language Overview
Nodes and Relationships Overview
Defines the query in a graphical
expression of nodes and links
Defines the CITs and relationships
whose instances will be returned from
the CMDB
Identity
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Topology Query Language Overview
Adding Nodes to a TQL
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Topology Query Language Overview
Defining Relationships Between Nodes
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Topology Query Language Examples
Basic Query: all Unix hosts
TQL Query for all Unix hosts with CPU?
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Topology Query Language Examples
Basic Query: Unix hosts with Apache
TQL for all networks with Unix hosts with their IP Addresses?
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Topology Query Language Examples
Basic Query: Unix host resources
Where can you verify the relationship type between two CIT’s?
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Topology Query Language Overview
Attribute Conditions Review
Places conditions on the query to
constrain the results
Filters the CIs returned to the view
Constrains by the value of an
attribute
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Identity
Topology Query Language Overview
TQL Node Properties Dialog
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Topology Query Language Overview
TQL Node Attribute Conditions
Host Operating System Equal
ignore case "windows 2003"
AND
Host Operating System Release
Equal "5"
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Topology Query Language Overview
Adding Attribute Conditions
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Topology Query Language Overview
Fixed Value Parameterized Conditions
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Topology Query Language Examples
Example - Windows 2003 Servers
TQL Definition
Result Set
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Topology Query Language Examples
Example - Unix Host with OS other than Linux
TQL Definition
Result Set
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Topology Query Language Overview
Identity Conditions Overview
Places conditions on the query to
constrain the results
Filters the CIs returned to the view
Constrains by a CIT instance
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Identity
Topology Query Language Overview
Defining an Identity (Select Identities)
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Topology Query Language Overview
All Hosts on the 10.168.11.0 Subnet
TQL
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Topology Query Language Overview
Cardinality Conditions Review
Places conditions on the query to
constrain the results
Filters the CIs returned to the view
Constrains by the number of
relationships from one CI to another
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Identity
Topology Query Language Overview
Defining Relationship Cardinality
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Topology Query Language Overview
Adding Relationship Cardinality
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Topology Query Language Example
Unix Hosts and their CPUs
What would be displayed for 0..* cardinality from CPU to Unix?
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Topology Query Language Example
Unix Hosts with CPUs
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Topology Query Language Examples
Unix Hosts with 2 or more CPUs
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Topology Query Language Overview
Include Subtypes Property Overview
A node or relationship condition selected by default
When selected the TQL results include the CI Type
instances and instances of all subtypes
• Host CIT returns Hosts, Unix, Windows, etc.
When deselected the TQL results include the CI Type
instances but none of the instances of any of the
subtypes
• Host CIT returns Hosts only
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Topology Query Language Overview
Editing Include Subtypes Properties
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Topology Query Language Overview
Using Include Subtype Properties
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INTRODUCTION TO TQL
Review Questions
44
1.
What are the different types of TQLs? Why do
we need different types of TQLs?
2.
List one major difference between SQL and
TQL.
3.
How is SQL syntax used by TQL?
4.
What is the purpose of an Attribute condition?
5.
When might an Identity condition be used in a
View TQL?
6.
What property specifies relationships between
instances retrieved by the TQL?
7.
When defining cardinality, what does *
indicate?
Chapter Summary
Summary
Key points in this lesson:
• A TQL query provides a graphical or tabular representation
of nodes and relationships between the nodes
• A TQL may be built in any of the Modeling managers except
IT Universe Manager and CI Type Manager
• A TQL query consists of nodes and relationships along with
their conditions
• A TQL can be edited by adding/subtracting nodes and
setting attribute, element id and cardinality conditions
• All TQL types can be created in Query Manager but only
integration and discovery TQLs can be edited in Query
Manager
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INTRODUCTION TO TQL
Exercises
Please complete the lesson review questions and
exercises in your book.
After everyone is finished, the instructor will review the
answers.
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