How do NAT entries get discovered

[Bhavani Shankar]

I have a ServiceMap which has DNS servers, below which I have NAT entries followed by the rest of the map. I want to understand how the NAT entries get populated in CMDB (cmdb_ci_translation_rule). In my instance I see they are discovered by ServiceWatch (which I believe is Service Map). 

I want to know which pattern is responsible for discovering those NAT entries.

Thanks, in advance.

[AJ-TechTrek]

Hi @Bhavani Shankar ,

NAT rules (cmdb_ci_translation_rule) are populated by Service Mapping (ServiceWatch), not standard Discovery.
Service Mapping uses Traffic-Based Connection patterns (sometimes called "Connection Discovery patterns") to identify when a client → server communication is routed via a NAT or translation rule.

The “Traffic-Based Connection - NAT Rule” pattern (under Service Mapping Connection Discovery) is responsible for discovering and populating NAT entries into cmdb_ci_translation_rule.

Standard Discovery (MID + Patterns) does not directly populate NAT rules.
Service Mapping (ServiceWatch) does, because NAT rules are needed to correctly build end-to-end Service Maps.
NATs are discovered only if your service map requires them (i.e., traffic traverses NAT).

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Thank You
AJ - TechTrek with AJ - ITOM Trainer
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[Bhavani Shankar]

Hi AJ,

Thanks for your response but I could not find a pattern named "Traffic-Based Connection - NAT Rule". Can you please let me know where I should be searching for that.

[AJ-TechTrek]

Hi @Bhavani Shankar ,

There is no pattern like this but OOB Service Mapping uses this which we dont have access.

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.
 

Thank You
AJ - TechTrek with AJ - ITOM Trainer
LinkedIn:- https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajay-kumar-66a91385/
YouTube:- https://www.youtube.com/@learnitomwithaj
Topmate:- https://topmate.io/aj_techtrekwithaj (Connect for 1-1 Session)
ServiceNow Community MVP 2025