Deleting CI

[Gurleen Kochar]

I have general question Regarding CI deletion, Is it best practice to delete the CI.

Also, if we have duplicate CIs, what would be the best approach to clean those CIs from CMDB.

[Bhaba]

Hi @Gurleen Kochar 

You can use CI Class Manager to delete CIs that are no longer needed.

1. Go to Configuration > CI Class Manager.
2. Click Hierarchy to expand the CI Classes list and then select the class from which you want to delete CI records.
3. In the class navigation bar on the left, click CI List.
4. On the CI List form view, select the CIs that you want to delete.
   Select the check box in the header to select all the CIs that are visible.
5. Click Actions on selected rows and then click Delete.
6. Click Delete in the Confirmation dialog box.

Hope this helps you. Mark the answer correct if this helped you.

Thanks.

[Gurleen Kochar]

Hi Thanks for your response.

My question is , it is best practice to delete the CI. I am aware how to delete. Thanks

[glennguzzo]

Not it isn't use CMDB data manager to derive policies and actions for better governance.  https://docs.servicenow.com/bundle/rome-servicenow-platform/page/product/configuration-management/concept/cmdb-data-management.html

[Appli]

Hi, it is possible to delete CIs however their dependent relationships (if exist) will also be deleted; as result, dependent CI may  become orphans. Additionally, CIs can be referenced in Incidents/Change Requests/etc records; once CI is deleted, CI field in these records will be zeroed as well.

In overall I would recommend deleting only if this is absolutely required and all the risks are accepted. Otherwise you can consider to just retire them (Status = Retire).

About duplicates - please take a look to de-duplication tasks.

Hope it helps