CMDB: Virtualized Network Elements - Class

[SBingemer]

What class options are there for virtualized appliances (i.e. Routers, Switches, Firewalls)?  We are looking to model vRouters in CMDB, and would like to ensure that we're utilizing the most appropriate CI Class for these purposes.  Given that these have an underlying PaaS/IaaS layer, if there is an OOB Class that would best support the model and relationships to the underlay, I would like to align our vRouters into that class.

If anyone has any success or horror stories around modeling these types of appliances, I would appreciate that feedback as well.

[Aleatha Leader]

One option is to go to the class manager and search the hierarchy for what you are working on (e.g., switch).  Another (though incomplete) resource is the CMDB Tables Descriptions https://docs.servicenow.com/en-US/bundle/tokyo-servicenow-platform/page/product/configuration-manage... 

One concern that has been expressed by some of our SMEs is that some of the CI tables are very specific (e.g., for a specific manufacturer) and others seem so similar in description that it can be a challenge to choose the right one (e.g., Firewall Hardware and IP Firewall, both are described as "Firewall Hardware" and roll up to the network gear table, but IP firewall has extending tables).

[SBingemer]

Thank you for your response!  This seems to be much more difficult than it really needs to be.

I found some of these tables that might work as well, but still do not provide the full context or solution needed as more and more, network appliances of yesterday are turning into virtualized applications of tomorrow...

cmdb_ci_vcenter_network

cmdb_ci_cloud_hardware_type

cmdb_ci_vcenter_dvs

cmdb_ci_vm_instance

Hopefully, this will help spark some additional conversation around this topic.

[Aleatha Leader]

I get the impression that the abundance of options might be to let orgs make their own choices.  I agree it can be really difficult to pin down a plan, especially when your stakeholders are used to working with systems that only have a 'right way' and 'wild work arounds'.

[pbels1]

We had the same issue.  Our solution was to create u_is_virtual? at the hardware level.  This would allow for virtualization of all class under hardware.  We also created two business rule on computer to keep the two field in sync, this was done be cause we are moving to the OOB discovery which will populate the OOB is_virtual field.