Model to Model Comparisons

A Model to Model comparison is the simplest type of comparison. The comparison checks the list of components that are installed on one host against the list of components that are installed on another host. This comparison is purely a verification of the records that the provisioning system has about what it has installed.

If there have been out-of-band changes made to either component list, the changes are not detected. A Model to Model comparison takes place entirely on the Master Server based on information the Master Server has received about what has been deployed.

Model to Model Comparison Characteristics

• Compares the records of what has been installed on two hosts

• Requires no data transfer

• Requires the least amount of time to run

You might want to use a Model to Model comparison in the following situations.

• You want to compare the contents of two hosts and no out-of-band changes have occured.

• You want to compare two hosts and neither of the hosts had snapshots taken during installation.

How to Create a Model to Model Comparison

This procedure describes creating a comparison by using the browser interface. You can also create comparisons by using the following command.

• cmp.ds.add – Creates a new comparison.

For a detailed description of this command, see Chapter 5, cmp: CLI Commands for Running Comparisons, in Sun N1 Service Provisioning System 5.1 Command-Line Interface Reference Manual.

Before You Begin

To create a new comparison, you must belong to a user group with Create, Edit, Delete permission on comparisons.

Steps

1. In the navigation menu, click Comparisons.

   The Comparisons page is displayed.

2. Type the name and description of the comparison you want to create and click Create.

   The comparison's Details page is displayed.

3. In the Style of Comparison area, click Model to Model.

4. In the Reference Host field, type or select the name of the host whose model should serve as the standard for the comparison.

   Ideally, the reference host contains the configuration that you would like to see on the comparison host.

5. In the Comparison Host Field, type or select the name of the host whose model you would like to compare to the reference model.

6. In the Limits area, specify the maximum number of hours or minutes the comparison can run.

   By default, comparisons are allowed to run for four hours.

   If the comparison times out, an error message will display on the Comparisons page.

7. Click Save.