ServiceNow CMDB Storage Approach
ServiceNow CMDB Storage Approach: An excellent reference of storage-related Configuration Items (CIs) in the CMDB can solve several key business problems that IT faces. Here are some of the primary issues and how a robust CMDB addresses them:
Business Problems Solved by ServiceNow CMDB Storage Discovery
Inefficient Asset Management
Firstly, organizations often struggle with inefficient asset management due to limited visibility into their storage infrastructure. However, a comprehensive CMDB provides a detailed inventory of all storage devices, thereby enabling better tracking and management.
Incomplete Impact Analysis
Secondly, incomplete impact analysis can lead to extended downtime and service disruptions. By mapping relationships between storage CIs and other IT assets, the CMDB helps IT teams understand dependencies, thereby anticipating the impact of changes or failures.
Poor Capacity Planning
Additionally, poor capacity planning can result in over-provisioning or under-provisioning of storage resources. The CMDB captures detailed attributes such as capacity and utilization metrics, thereby supporting more accurate planning and forecasting.
Ineffective Incident and Problem Management
Moreover, ineffective incident and problem management can slow down response times and resolutions. With detailed storage-related CIs in the CMDB, IT teams can quickly identify affected components and their relationships, thereby speeding up root cause analysis and resolution.
Compliance and Risk Management
Furthermore, compliance and risk management often suffer due to incomplete or inaccurate documentation. A well-maintained CMDB ensures all storage devices and their configurations are documented, thereby aiding compliance efforts and risk assessments.
Storage Discovery Options for Standard vs. Pro License in ServiceNow CMDB
| Feature | Standard License | Pro License |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Storage Discovery | – Direct Attached Storage (DAS) Network Attached Storage (NAS) Storage Area Networks (SAN) | Direct Attached Storage (DAS) Network Attached Storage (NAS) Storage Area Networks (SAN) |
| Storage Devices and Platforms | Basic storage arrays Fibre Channel Switches iSCSI disks | Advanced storage arrays <br> Fibre Channel Switches <br> iSCSI disks Enhanced device support |
| Host Operating Systems | Windows Linux Solaris | Windows Linux Solaris Enhanced OS support |
| Virtual Storage | VMware ESX servers | VMware ESX servers Linux Kernel-based Virtual Machines (KVM) |
| Storage Discovery and Mapping | Basic identification and relationships | Advanced identification Detailed relationships Comprehensive mapping |
| SMI-S and CIM Discovery | Basic SMI-S providers | Advanced SMI-S providers Specialized CIM servers |
| Information Collected | File Systems Disks Fibre Channel (FC) HBAs and Ports | File Systems Disks Fibre Channel (FC) HBAs and Ports Linux Volume Manager (LVM) Volumes Veritas Volume Manager Disks, Subdisks, Disk Groups, Plexes, and Volumes |
| Automated Relationship Mapping | Basic relationships | Detailed relationships |
| Reporting and Analytics Tools | Basic reporting | Advanced reporting and analytics |
| Customization and Integration | Limited customization | Extensive customization Integration with other ServiceNow features |
| Best Practices and Optimization | General best practices | Comprehensive best practices Advanced optimization techniques |
This table highlights the key differences between the storage discovery options available with the Standard and Pro licenses of ServiceNow CMDB, showing how the Pro license offers enhanced features and capabilities for more detailed and comprehensive storage management.
Comprehensive Discovery Setup
Firstly, set up a comprehensive discovery process that covers all types of storage devices in your environment. Use ServiceNow’s Discovery tool to automate the identification and classification of storage CIs.
Regular and Automated Discoveries
Moreover, schedule regular and automated discoveries to keep the CMDB up-to-date. Regular updates ensure that any changes in the storage infrastructure are promptly reflected in the CMDB.
Accurate Credential Management
Additionally, ensure accurate credential management for accessing storage devices. Incorrect credentials can lead to incomplete discoveries. Therefore, regularly update and verify credentials to maintain access accuracy.
Utilize Predefined and Custom Patterns
Furthermore, leverage predefined discovery patterns provided by ServiceNow for common storage devices. Customize these patterns to capture specific attributes and configurations unique to your environment.
Monitor and Optimize Discovery Performance
Also, consistently monitor the performance of your discovery process. Use discovery logs and reports to identify and address any issues promptly. Continuously optimize discovery settings to improve both efficiency and accuracy.
Validate and Cross-Reference Data
Additionally, validate the data discovered by cross-referencing it with existing documentation and configurations. This step ensures the accuracy and reliability of the information captured in the CMDB.
Automate Relationship Mapping
Moreover, automate the mapping of relationships between storage devices and other Configuration Items (CIs). Accurate relationship mapping is crucial for effective impact analysis, capacity planning, and incident management.
Use Reporting and Analytics Tools
Finally, leverage ServiceNow’s reporting and analytics tools to generate insights and metrics on your storage device discovery. These reports are invaluable for identifying trends, spotting potential issues, and pinpointing areas for improvement.
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Levels of Storage CIs Discoverable | ServiceNow Discovery collects information on various types of storage CIs, including: Direct Attached Storage (DAS) Storage Area Networks (SAN) Network Attached Storage (NAS) |
| Depth of Storage Discovery | ServiceNow CMDB can delve deep into identifying and registering storage relationships, encompassing: Basic Identification: Assigning unique identifiers to storage devices. Detailed Attributes: Capturing specifics such as capacity, manufacturer, model, firmware versions, and connectivity options. Relationships: Mapping dependencies between storage devices and other CIs, including servers and applications. |
| Types of Storage and Their Discovery | Specialized Devices: Storage Arrays, Fibre Channel Switches, iSCSI disks. Host Operating Systems: Windows, Linux, Solaris. Storage Discovery and Mapping: Direct-attached storage (DAS) Network-attached storage (NAS) Storage area network (SAN) Virtual Storage: VMware ESX servers Linux Kernel-based Virtual Machines (KVM) SMI-S and CIM Discovery: SMI-S Providers: Specialized Common Information Model (CIM) servers. |
| Information Collected | Discovery collects and creates CIs in the CMDB for the following: File Systems: Local and NAS. – Disks: SAN and DAS drives. Fibre Channel (FC) HBAs and Ports. Linux Volume Manager (LVM) Volumes. Veritas Volume Manager Disks, Subdisks, Disk Groups, Plexes, and Volumes. |
| Best Practices for Storage Device Discovery | Regular and Automated Discoveries: Schedule regular, automated discoveries to keep the CMDB current. Accurate Credential Management: Ensure accurate credential management for accessing storage devices. Leveraging Predefined and Custom Patterns: Utilize and customize predefined discovery patterns for specific attributes. Monitor and Optimize Discovery Performance: Use logs and reports to continuously improve efficiency and accuracy. Validate and Cross-Reference Data: Ensure data accuracy by cross-referencing with existing documentation. Automate Relationship Mapping: Provide a comprehensive view of dependencies and interactions. Use Reporting and Analytics Tools: Generate insights and metrics to identify trends and potential issues. |
Monitor and Optimize Discovery Performance
To begin with, consistently monitor the performance of your discovery process. Use discovery logs and reports to identify and address any issues promptly. Moreover, continuously optimize discovery settings to improve both efficiency and accuracy.
Validate and Cross-Reference Data
Additionally, ensure the data discovered is accurate by cross-referencing it with existing documentation and configurations. This validation step is crucial for maintaining the reliability of the information captured in the CMDB.
Automate Relationship Mapping
Furthermore, automate the mapping of relationships between storage devices and other Configuration Items (CIs). Accurate relationship mapping is essential for effective impact analysis, capacity planning, and incident management.
Use Reporting and Analytics Tools
Finally, leverage ServiceNow’s reporting and analytics tools to generate insights and metrics on your storage device discovery. These reports are invaluable for identifying trends, spotting potential issues, and pinpointing areas for improvement.
ServiceNow CMDB Storage Approach Resources:
- CMDB Design Guidance
- CMDB – How to maintain the Configuration items ( CIs )relationships
- CMDB tables descriptions
- Configuration Item (cmdb_ci) class documentation
- itSMF Executive Modern Critical Situation
- Role of CMDB-Management Service-Owner
- SecOps Vulnerability Response Lifecycle
- Security and IT Glossary
- Ways to validate data in the CMDB without Discovery