General Structure of the Device Configuration Subsystem

Data that is used by the three levels is maintained in the Configuration database.

The Configuration database is managed as object classes by the Object Data Manager (ODM). All information relevant to support the device configuration process is stored in the configuration database.

The system cannot use any device unless it is configured.

The database has two components: the Predefined database and the Customized database. The Predefined database contains configuration data for all devices that could possibly be supported by the system. The Customized database contains configuration data for the devices actually defined or configured in that particular system.

The Configuration manager (cfgmgr command) performs the configuration of a system's devices automatically when the system is booted. This high-level program can also be invoked through the system keyboard to perform automatic device configuration. The configuration manager command configures devices as specified by Configuration rules.

The Device Configuration Subsystem can be viewed from the following different levels: