Agent Client Collector vs Horizontal Discovery

[pkparti]

Hello everyone,

Due to various concerns, the client has decided that the agent based approach might be better for them. There are some questions regarding this to which I couldn't find the answers even after searching the docs.

1.) What data exactly does ACC collect more than horizontal discovery? For example, the data sheet for ACC mentions:

• "ACC collects comprehensive process information, which allows ServiceNow Discovery to discover custom applications through a process known as application fingerprinting."
• "ACC also discovers installed software, including key information such as the last time software was accessed
  on Windows and Mac."

      Doesn't agentless discovery also collect process information, and installed software? What extra information does ACC provide? 

2.) There is also a need to map the CIs as application services. Does ACC support service mapping for Vancouver release? According to this doc, Application patterns for the Agent Client Collector , it seems to be a new feature than even Vancouver can support, but I'm not sure if it enables service mapping.

3.) Given this, is there a way to map application services without using Service Mapping,? What would be the overhead?

Thank you.

[Rahul Priyadars]

Hi PK

One of the Major Advantage Of Using ACC Over Horizontal Discovery is Security - Why 

ACC is agent based discovery where ACC do not have to Pick the Credentials at Run time rather ACC Agents keep sending data to Mid Servers. 

Horizontal Discovery - We create Credentials (Windows , SSH , SNMP ) for Discovery . These Domain, Root credentials are stored in Service Now Credentials table which is on Service Now Cloud. Security Experts see it as a very big risk . Even in Horizontal Discovery Password Vaults Like Cyber Ark can be used but seems in yoor case customer is more happy with ACC.

Capability wise Horizontal Discovery Is More Powerful.

Regards

RP

[pkparti]

Hello RP,

Thank you for the reply.

When you say capability wise Horizontal Discovery is more powerful, do you mean that in reference to the CI data (more comprehensive than ACC or not), or with regards to the fact that HD (using credentials) can be used to map application services using Service Mapping? If HD provides more comprehensive data, is there any reference as to exactly what data is sent? I could find this for ACC, but even this isn't very detailed: Data collected by ACC-V .

Do you also have any advice regarding 2.) and 3.)?

Thank you.

[Rahul Priyadars]

When you say capability wise Horizontal Discovery is more powerful, do you mean that in reference to the CI data (more comprehensive than ACC or not) --> YES

 with regards to the fact that HD (using credentials) can be used to map application services using Service Mapping? --> Service Mapping is a separate product. HD or ACC discovery collects data and Its Complements when Service Mapping is run.

Deep dive into this URL it will give u fair idea

https://docs.servicenow.com/bundle/washingtondc-it-operations-management/page/product/it-operations-...

Regards

RP