# Unmanaged Devices
This article explains the Unmanaged Device mode in EasyDCIM. It is designed for equipment that should exist in inventory and rack views, but should not be treated as a fully managed device.
Typical examples include:
- offline spare servers,
- customer-owned equipment tracked only for inventory purposes,
- devices waiting for installation,
- equipment that should be visible in racks and asset lists but should not use automation features.
# What the unmanaged flag does
When Unmanaged Device is enabled for an item:
- the device is excluded from license device limits,
- the device is treated as an inventory-only object,
- EasyDCIM automatically sets:
- Locked =
Yes - Poller Disabled =
Yes
- Locked =
This combination allows you to keep the hardware visible in EasyDCIM while intentionally disabling normal management workflows.
# What is blocked for unmanaged devices
Unmanaged devices are not meant for day-to-day remote operations. Because of that, EasyDCIM blocks management actions such as:
- power actions,
- IPMI / noVNC console access,
- OS provisioning and related automation flows,
- monitoring and polling workflows that depend on the normal managed-device path.
In practice, unmanaged devices should be treated as asset records, not as actively controlled infrastructure nodes.
# Assignment limitations
An unmanaged device cannot be used as a normal customer-assigned managed service.
If a device is already assigned to a client or order, EasyDCIM blocks switching it to Unmanaged Device until that assignment is removed. This prevents accidental or intentional bypass of normal service and licensing rules.
# Where to configure it
You can use the unmanaged flag in these areas:
- the standard device add/edit form,
- mass edit,
- mass import for supported device types.
On the regular device form, the field is shown as Unmanaged Device.
# Visual indicators
To make unmanaged hardware easier to identify:
- the device summary shows a dedicated warning message,
- rack tiles use a separate visual style,
- extra operational indicators may be hidden in rack view because the device is not treated as actively managed.
# When to use unmanaged devices
Use Unmanaged Device when you want EasyDCIM to store and display the hardware, but you do not want to:
- count it against your managed device license limit,
- expose remote control functions,
- use provisioning, IPMI, or power automation,
- treat the device as a customer-facing managed service.
Good use cases:
- warehouse stock,
- cold spares,
- passive inventory records,
- externally owned devices tracked for reference.
# When not to use it
Do not use unmanaged mode for devices that are expected to:
- be provisioned automatically,
- expose IPMI or noVNC access,
- support power control actions,
- participate in normal customer service workflows,
- remain assigned to an active client service or order.
If you need those features, keep the device in normal managed mode.