Discovery

[Snehal]

Hi Team ,

how to implement ServiceNow discovery for network......like what all the information we will be needing to implement it. Can anyone guide me how to get into this topic. I want to go though it from very scratch .

Thank You!

[AJ-TechTrek]

Hi @Snehal  

Below are things which your required for Network Discovery.

1. Mid Server( Mid Server IP to Network Device firewall enabled and Mid Server IP added in ACL in Network Device)

2 SNMP v2/v3 Credentials on device Type from Customer

3. IP Ranges of Device (Identify the Device Type Like Switch, Router etc)

4. Discovery Schedule to be cerated

https://www.servicenow.com/products/it-operations-management/what-is-network-discovery.html

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

https://www.servicenow.com/latam/products/it-operations-management/what-is-network-discovery.html

Please appreciate the efforts of community contributors by marking appropriate response as Mark my Answer Helpful or Accept Solution this may help other community users to follow correct solution in future.

Thanks

AJ

Linkedin Profile:- https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajay-kumar-66a91385/

[Rahul Priyadars]

Just to add 

N/W Devices works  SNMP Protocol (Port 161).

For Device access you need SNMP V2/V3 Type Credentials created in Service Now

First Do Credentials Test from Service Now on a given IP of n/w devices Like (Router,IP Switch etc)

Then configure a schedule to discover the IP Range.

Regards

RP

[Oyvind Schei]

Hi @Snehal  

Before diving into the technicalities of implementing ServiceNow Discovery for network devices, it's crucial to start with a foundational step that often shapes the success of such initiatives: understanding the specific use cases for network device discovery. This step involves reflecting internally or discussing with the customer/company to pinpoint the exact objectives you aim to achieve through discovery. Whether it's enhancing change control processes, performing vulnerability scans, ensuring compliance, or optimizing network performance, having clear use cases will guide your discovery strategy, ensuring it aligns with your operational goals and delivers tangible benefits.

 

Traditional Network Discovery: Overview and Best Practices

Traditional network discovery is a process that involves automatically identifying devices within a network, mapping their connections, and cataloging their attributes. ServiceNow Discovery facilitates this by scanning your network to find computers, servers, printers, and other IP-enabled devices. Here are some best practices to ensure an effective discovery process:

• Define the Scope: Clearly outline which segments of your network you want to discover. This helps in focusing your efforts and resources on areas that align with your use cases.
• Credential Management: Ensure that you have the necessary credentials to access the devices you wish to discover. Proper credential management is critical for a successful discovery process.
• Regular Scheduling: Plan discovery runs during off-peak hours to minimize the impact on network performance. Regularly updating your discovery schedule ensures that your CMDB remains accurate and reflective of the current state of your network.
• Customization and Filtering: Tailor the discovery process to your needs by customizing discovery patterns and employing filters to exclude non-essential devices or information.
• Validation and Verification: After discovery runs, validate and verify the data collected to ensure accuracy. This step is crucial for maintaining the integrity of your CMDB.

 

Service Graphs and Availability Check

Moving beyond traditional discovery, Service Graphs represent a more advanced approach, focusing on the relationships and dependencies between various IT components within an organization. Service Graphs provide a comprehensive view of how network devices and services are interconnected, offering deeper insights for decision-making and problem-solving.

Before implementing Service Graphs, it's important to check their availability within your ServiceNow package and understand the prerequisites for their deployment. Service Graphs are part of the ServiceNow Service Mapping tool, which requires specific configuration and setup. They leverage the data obtained from Discovery to create a detailed map of service topologies, helping organizations visualize paths across the network and how services communicate with each other.

 

Conclusion

Implementing ServiceNow Discovery for network devices is a journey that starts with a clear understanding of your objectives. By focusing on well-defined use cases, adhering to best practices for traditional discovery, and exploring the capabilities of Service Graphs, you can unlock significant value for your IT operations and the broader organization. Remember, the key to success lies in meticulous planning, execution, and continuous improvement based on insights gathered through the discovery process.

I hope this provides a solid starting point for your discovery journey. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need further assistance.

Hope this helps you out on the Discovery journey of Network devices!

Kind Regards

Øyvind

Sopra Steria Norway

[Harish Bainsla]

Hi first of all you have to understand how discovery work .

1. You have to know how many network machine are present.

2.Credential

3.IP Range

4. Mid server

check below link for basic understanding

https://www.servicenow.com/products/it-operations-management/what-is-network-discovery.html?state=se...

https://youtu.be/j0lPKE7IOzo?si=vo_cwRqDfKs8eS5e