Configuration Items

DigiFox

I was looking around the platform and noticed the Configuration Items section. From the looks of it, it looks a database of any objects (users, devices, etc.) in our platform.

I noticed for users, when I click on the edit button to the right, I get a 401 error indicating that I don't have the right access despite being an admin. Is this normal?

muhammad.osama

While it might seem "broken" that an admin gets a 401 Unauthorized error, there is actually a structural reason for it within SolarWinds (specifically if you are using the Service Desk or ESM/HCO modules).

Why the 401 Error is Happening

In SolarWinds, Configuration Items (CIs) are part of the CMDB (Configuration Management Database). They are meant to represent assets—servers, software, or even people as they relate to a ticket or a service.

However, a User Record in the CI list is not the same thing as a User Account.

• The CI Record: Is a static entry used for tracking (e.g., "John Doe owns this Laptop").
• The User Account: Is a live identity used for logging in, permissions, and session management.

When you click "Edit" on a User in the CI section, the platform often tries to redirect you to the Identity Management or User Setup module. A 401 error usually triggers because:

1. Module Misalignment: You are trying to edit an "Identity" through an "Asset" interface. The system expects a specific API token for the User Management module that isn't being passed correctly from the CI page.
2. Protected Objects: System-generated accounts (like the "Me" macro or internal service accounts) are often visible in the CI list but are "hard-locked" to prevent admins from accidentally corrupting the platform's core identity logic.

How to Fix / Edit

If you actually need to change a user's details, stop using the Configuration Items menu and go to the "source of truth":

The "Evidence-Led" Interpretation

Applying your Evidence → State → Action model to this specific bug:

Layer	Context
Evidence	HTTP 401 Error on CI Edit button.
State	Broken Path. The UI is presenting an "Edit" action for a record that is stored in a read-only CMDB table rather than the editable User table.
Action	Ignore the "Edit" button in the CI view. Navigate to User Setup to perform administrative changes.