Deleting database content from CA SAM

Products

• CA IT Asset Manager
• CA Software Asset Manager (CA SAM)
• ASSET PORTFOLIO MGMT- SERVER
• CA Service Management - Asset Portfolio Management
• CA Service Management - Service Desk Manager

Issue/Introduction

Is it permitted to delete certain data records at the database level?  Of interest are tables:

• inv_raw_arp
• inv_raw_arp_ibs
• inv_raw_file_ib
• inv_raw_generic_ib

Environment

CA Software Asset Manager (SAM), Release: 4.2.4

Resolution

Data manipulations at the database level are not advisable in general, especially update operations which should not be performed on database level. However, the tables mentioned do represent exceptions since they can be emptied. It should be safe to TRUNCATE these tables. We do advise to check that there isn't any product recognition job runs before reimporting any data into the ARP table. Otherwise there is a risk that the Software inventory will be emptied due to an empty ARP table.

In any case, we recommend taking a backup of the database before making any such changes.