Configuration Item Discovery

Overview

Configuration Items (CIs) are the foundation of the CMDB. This skill covers:

• Understanding the CI class hierarchy
• Discovering and classifying CIs
• Creating CIs manually when automated discovery isn't available
• Maintaining CI data quality
• Establishing CI relationships

When to use: When populating or maintaining the CMDB, onboarding new infrastructure, or validating CI data.

Prerequisites

• Roles: cmdb_admin or itil with CMDB write access
• Access: CMDB tables (cmdb_ci and subclasses)
• Knowledge: CMDB class structure, CI attributes

Procedure

Step 1: Understand the CI Class Hierarchy

The CMDB uses inheritance. All CIs extend from cmdb_ci:

cmdb_ci (Base CI)
├── cmdb_ci_computer
│   ├── cmdb_ci_server
│   │   ├── cmdb_ci_win_server
│   │   ├── cmdb_ci_linux_server
│   │   └── cmdb_ci_unix_server
│   └── cmdb_ci_pc_hardware
│       ├── cmdb_ci_computer_win
│       └── cmdb_ci_computer_mac
├── cmdb_ci_service
│   ├── cmdb_ci_service_auto
│   └── cmdb_ci_service_manual
├── cmdb_ci_appl
│   ├── cmdb_ci_app_server
│   └── cmdb_ci_database_instance
├── cmdb_ci_network_gear
│   ├── cmdb_ci_netgear
│   └── cmdb_ci_ip_router
└── cmdb_ci_storage_device

Discover available CI classes:

Tool: SN-Query-Table
Parameters:
  table_name: sys_db_object
  query: nameLIKEcmdb_ci^super_class.name=cmdb_ci
  fields: name,label,super_class
  limit: 50

Step 2: Query Existing CIs

Before adding new CIs, check what exists:

Using MCP:

Tool: SN-List-CmdbCis
Parameters:
  ci_class: cmdb_ci_server
  query: operational_status=1
  fields: name,ip_address,os,sys_class_name
  limit: 100

Search by name:

Tool: SN-Query-Table
Parameters:
  table_name: cmdb_ci
  query: nameLIKEweb-server
  fields: sys_id,name,sys_class_name,operational_status

Step 3: Create New CIs

Manual CI Creation (when discovery isn't available):

Tool: SN-Create-Record
Parameters:
  table_name: cmdb_ci_linux_server
  data:
    name: "prod-web-01"
    ip_address: "10.0.1.100"
    dns_domain: "corp.company.com"
    fqdn: "prod-web-01.corp.company.com"
    os: "Red Hat Enterprise Linux"
    os_version: "8.5"
    cpu_count: 8
    ram: 32768
    disk_space: 500
    serial_number: "SN12345678"
    asset_tag: "ASSET-001"
    operational_status: 1
    install_status: 1
    environment: Production
    location: [location_sys_id]
    department: [department_sys_id]
    support_group: [group_sys_id]
    managed_by: [user_sys_id]
    comments: "Production web server - Node 1"

CI Attribute Reference:

Step 4: Classify CIs Properly

Choose the most specific class that fits:

Decision Tree:

Is it hardware?
├── Yes → Is it a computer?
│   ├── Yes → Server or Workstation?
│   │   ├── Server → What OS? → cmdb_ci_win_server / cmdb_ci_linux_server
│   │   └── Workstation → cmdb_ci_pc_hardware
│   └── No → Network gear? Storage? → cmdb_ci_netgear / cmdb_ci_storage
└── No → Is it software?
    ├── Application → cmdb_ci_appl
    ├── Database → cmdb_ci_database_instance
    └── Service → cmdb_ci_service

Get class schema to understand attributes:

Tool: SN-Discover-Table-Schema
Parameters:
  table_name: cmdb_ci_linux_server

Step 5: Establish CI Relationships

CIs don't exist in isolation. Define relationships:

Relationship Types:

Create Relationship:

Tool: SN-Create-Record
Parameters:
  table_name: cmdb_rel_ci
  data:
    parent: [parent_ci_sys_id]
    child: [child_ci_sys_id]
    type: [relationship_type_sys_id]

Find relationship types:

Tool: SN-Query-Table
Parameters:
  table_name: cmdb_rel_type
  fields: sys_id,name,parent_descriptor,child_descriptor
  limit: 50

Step 6: Validate CI Data

Ensure data quality with validation queries:

Find CIs missing required data:

Tool: SN-Query-Table
Parameters:
  table_name: cmdb_ci_server
  query: ip_addressISEMPTY^operational_status=1
  fields: name,sys_class_name,support_group

Find duplicate CIs:

Tool: SN-Query-Table
Parameters:
  table_name: cmdb_ci
  query: nameLIKEserver-name
  fields: sys_id,name,ip_address,sys_created_on

Check orphan CIs (no relationships):

# Query CIs not in any relationship
# This requires a more complex query or script

Step 7: Maintain CI Lifecycle

Update CI status as things change:

Operational Status Values:

Update CI Status:

Tool: SN-Update-Record
Parameters:
  table_name: cmdb_ci_server
  sys_id: [ci_sys_id]
  data:
    operational_status: 6
    install_status: 7
    decommissioned: true
    comments: "Decommissioned per CHG0012345 on 2026-02-06"

CI Data Quality Checklist

• Name follows naming convention
• IP address is accurate and unique
• Serial number recorded (for hardware)
• Support group assigned
• Location specified
• Environment set (Prod/Test/Dev)
• Relationships defined
• Operational status current
• Discovery source documented

Tool Usage Summary

Best Practices

• Use Most Specific Class: cmdb_ci_linux_server, not cmdb_ci_server
• Standardize Naming: Follow consistent naming conventions
• Link to Assets: Connect CIs to asset records when applicable
• Document Sources: Note whether CI was discovered or manually created
• Regular Audits: Periodically validate CI data accuracy
• Relationship Completeness: CIs should have at least one relationship

Troubleshooting

CI Not Appearing in Reports

Cause: Wrong class or missing attributes Solution: Check sys_class_name and ensure required fields are populated

Duplicate CIs

Cause: Multiple discovery sources or manual duplicates Solution: Use identification rules; merge or retire duplicates

Relationships Not Showing

Cause: Relationship type not valid for CI classes Solution: Verify relationship type supports the parent/child classes

Related Skills

• cmdb/relationship-mapping - Deep dive into relationships
• cmdb/impact-analysis - Using CMDB for impact analysis
• cmdb/service-graph-diagnosis - Diagnose discovery and service graph gaps
• itsm/change-management - CI changes during changes

References

• ServiceNow CMDB
• ITIL Configuration Management
• CMDB Best Practices