Hi @MThomas1
Q: Is Discovery is a required tool for SAM?
Tanu: It is strictly not required. It depends on several factors, such as the publishers for which you are implementing the SAM Pro module, and the approach you plan to bring usage or subscription data for that publisher into Servicenow Platform for reconcillation.
Refer: SAM Pre-requisites - Discovery?
Q: Is Discovery allows us control our CMDB?
Yes, it is the primary automated tool used to establish control, as it populates and continuously updates the CMDB with accurate, active, and near real-time data
Refer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Lq-i_cadNQ.
Q: or it updates the CI meta data automatically based on the scaning ?
Yes, OOB Discovery automatically updates CI metadata through scheduled scans. It leverages probes, sensors, and predefined patterns to identify devices, software, and related attributes, and then populates or updates that information directly in the CMDB.
Q: Can we configure Discovery to make a controlled update to CMDB cis ?
Yes, you can govern these automated updates using
Identification and Reconciliation Engine (IRE): This ServiceNow engine processes payloads and ensures that Discovery does not create duplicate CIs or recklessly overwrite protected data
And Reconciliation rule
Q: Any disadvantage of discovery ?
Refer: The top five limitations of traditional IT discovery and how get around them
- If multiple data sources (e.g., Discovery and other integrations) target the same CIs, Discovery can overwrite manual customizations or updates from other tools if rules aren't properly defined
- For Agentless Discovery, If subnets are unknown, firewalls block the MID server, or credentials are lost, you will have significant gaps in data
Please Accept the solution if it assisted you with your question & Mark this response as Helpful.
Regards
Tanushree Maiti
ServiceNow Technical Architect
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanushreemaiti
