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CMDB and Discovery

The document outlines integration work with Jira and HPSM, detailing outbound and inbound integration methods using REST message web services and scripted REST APIs. It explains the Configuration Management Database (CMDB) in ServiceNow, including its structure, data loading processes, and key concepts like Identification and Reconciliation rules. Additionally, it provides interview questions and answers related to CMDB, emphasizing the importance of maintaining data accuracy and the role of Discovery in populating the CMDB.

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lifaboh437
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15 views4 pages

CMDB and Discovery

The document outlines integration work with Jira and HPSM, detailing outbound and inbound integration methods using REST message web services and scripted REST APIs. It explains the Configuration Management Database (CMDB) in ServiceNow, including its structure, data loading processes, and key concepts like Identification and Reconciliation rules. Additionally, it provides interview questions and answers related to CMDB, emphasizing the importance of maintaining data accuracy and the role of Discovery in populating the CMDB.

Uploaded by

lifaboh437
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as TXT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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i worked on integration with with JIra, hpsm .

i worked on outbount and inbound


integration. for outbound i used restmessage webservices. for inbound i have used
scripted rest api.

For outbound
------------
Rest message:
HTTP methods
HTTP Queries
HTTP parameters
End Point and Authentication(Basic or OAuth2.0)

for inbound
------------
Scripted Rest Api:
we have to share our user name and password and end point. (Authentications Basic
and OAuth: for OAuth client id, cliend secrete, grant type as Password)
for authentication we have to give authorization access keys.

CMDB questions:
----------------
CMDB is nothing but a separate table. base configuration item table. cmdb_ci in
this we have classes means child tables. software class, hardware class, server
class.

how to load data into CMDB?


---------------------------
A: First we have to write identification rules there i give attribute for insert or
update the record. two attributes should match for updation of record.
then reconcialation rules: in server table i have to load data.

✅ CMDB Interview Questions (Beginner – 6 Months Experience)


1. What is CMDB in ServiceNow?
Answer:
CMDB stands for Configuration Management Database. It's a centralized repository in
ServiceNow that stores information about Configuration Items (CIs), such as
servers, applications, network devices, and their relationships.

2. What is a Configuration Item (CI)?


Answer:
A CI is any component that needs to be managed to deliver an IT service. Examples
include servers, databases, routers, applications, and more. Each CI is stored as a
record in a CMDB table.

3. What is the base table of CMDB in ServiceNow?


Answer:
The base table is cmdb_ci. All specific CI classes (like cmdb_ci_server,
cmdb_ci_database) extend from this table.

4. How do CIs relate to each other in CMDB?


Answer:
Relationships between CIs are stored in the cmdb_rel_ci table. For example, a web
server might "Runs on" a virtual machine.

5. How are CIs imported into CMDB?


Answer:
CIs can be imported using Discovery, Service Mapping, IntegrationHub, or via manual
import using Data Sources, Import Sets, and Transform Maps.
6. What is a CI Class Manager?
Answer:
CI Class Manager is a UI in ServiceNow that allows you to view and manage the
hierarchy of CI classes, including adding custom attributes or extending classes.

7. What are Identification and Reconciliation (IRE) rules?


Answer:
IRE ensures that duplicate CIs are not created. It uses identification rules to
match existing records and reconciliation rules to decide which source has the
authoritative data for a field.

8. What is a CMDB Health Dashboard?


Answer:
It provides visibility into data quality using indicators like completeness,
correctness, and compliance of CIs.

9. What tools are used to populate CMDB automatically?


Answer:

Discovery

Service Mapping

IntegrationHub ETL

Third-party integrations (e.g., SCCM, SolarWinds)

10. How do you maintain CMDB data accuracy?


Answer:
By implementing:

Discovery schedules

IRE rules

Audit and compliance reports

CI Lifecycle management

✅ What You Can Say About Your CMDB Work


If you have 6 months of hands-on experience, here’s how you can describe it:

“In my current project, I’ve worked on the CMDB module by assisting in the setup of
CI classes and managing data imports from Excel sheets using Data Sources and
Transform Maps. I also helped troubleshoot CMDB health issues, updated
relationships between CIs, and worked with Identification Rules to ensure data
integrity. Additionally, I supported minor enhancements in Discovery and configured
CI Class Manager to add new attributes for custom CIs.”

Would you like me to write a short mock interview answer for "What did you work on
in CMDB?" that you can memorize or tweak?

2/2
You said:
how to load data into cmdb table? give interviewee answer

ChatGPT said:
Here’s a solid interview answer for the question:

❓Question: How do you load data into CMDB tables in ServiceNow?


✅ Interview Answer:
"There are multiple ways to load data into CMDB tables in ServiceNow, depending on
the source of data. In my experience, I've used Data Sources, Import Sets, and
Transform Maps to import data from Excel files into CMDB tables like
cmdb_ci_computer or cmdb_ci_server.

The process involves uploading an Excel file as an attachment to a Data Source,


then creating an Import Set table automatically from that file. I configure a
Transform Map to map the source fields to the target CMDB table fields, and I make
sure to use Coalesce to avoid duplicates.

In addition, I’ve worked with Identification and Reconciliation (IRE) rules to


ensure that duplicate CIs are not created. If automated population is needed, I
also assist in setting up Discovery schedules to scan the network and update the
CMDB with accurate CI records."

This answer shows both manual and automated approaches and includes key terms like:

Import Set

Transform Map

Coalesce

IRE

Discover
--------------------------------------------------
✅ 1. Identification Rules – "Who is this CI?"
Purpose: To identify and de-duplicate Configuration Items (CIs) by determining if
incoming data matches an existing CI or should create a new one.

How: Uses a set of attributes (like name, serial number, IP) to match records.

🔹 Example: If Discovery finds a server with the same serial number as an existing
one, it updates it — not creates a duplicate.

✅ 2. Reconciliation Rules – "Which value should we trust?"


Purpose: To resolve conflicts between multiple data sources trying to update the
same CI.

How: Works at the CI level to determine which source wins for each attribute.

🔹 Example: Both SCCM and Discovery want to update the “RAM” field. Reconciliation
determines which wins based on defined rules.

✅ 3. Data Precedence Rules – "Which source wins for this field?"


Purpose: To specify field-level priority when multiple data sources provide values
for the same attribute of a CI.
How: Set per attribute in the reconciliation rule.

🔹 Example: For the “OS Version” field, you set Discovery to have higher precedence
than SCCM.

--------------------------------------------------
✅ What is Discovery in ServiceNow?
Discovery is a ServiceNow module that automatically finds devices, applications,
and services on your network and populates that information into the CMDB
(Configuration Management Database).

🔍 How Discovery Works:


MID Server (a lightweight Java app installed on your network) acts as a bridge
between ServiceNow and your infrastructure.

Discovery runs probes and sensors to scan IP ranges or cloud accounts.

It identifies CIs (Configuration Items) such as servers, network devices,


databases, and applications.

These CIs are then classified and inserted/updated in the CMDB.

🧩 How Discovery is Related to CMDB:


Relationship Explanation
Feeds Data Discovery finds CIs and inserts/updates them in the CMDB.
Keeps CMDB Fresh Without Discovery, CMDB can become outdated or inaccurate due to
manual entry.
Ensures Accuracy Discovery detects real-time infrastructure changes and updates
the CMDB accordingly.

🎯 Purpose of Discovery:
Automate CI population into the CMDB.

Eliminate manual data entry and reduce errors.

Maintain an accurate CMDB for IT operations, change management, and incident


resolution.

Enable service mapping and root cause analysis.

Real-World Example:
You configure Discovery to scan your server subnet (e.g., 10.0.0.0/24). It:

Identifies 15 Linux servers.

Gathers details like hostname, IP, OS version, installed applications.

Populates cmdb_ci_computer and cmdb_ci_linux_server tables.

Links these CIs with the appropriate business services in the CMDB.

Would you like a short version of this answer tailored for interviews?

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