--- sourceDocument: Australia IT Operations Management sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/it-operations-management Release : - australia ft:locale : - en-US ft:publication_title : - Australia IT Operations Management ft:clusterId : - itom bundleId : - itom workflow : - Technology --- # MID Server configuration for Service Mapping # MID Server configuration for Service Mapping {#ariaid-title1} Release version: Australia Updated March 12, 2026 ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 3 minutes to read Summarize ![AI sparkle icon](https://servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ai-sparkle-icon) Summarized using AI This content was generated using new OpenAI-powered functionality. Results are provided on an as is basis and are not guaranteed to be accurate or complete. ## Summary of MID Server configuration for Service Mapping The MID Server is a Java application running as a Windows service or UNIX daemon that enables communication between on-premises servers and ServiceNow applications like Service Mapping and Discovery. It resides within the enterprise private network and facilitates discovery and mapping of infrastructure components. Show full answer Show less To ensure proper functionality when language plugins are activated on the instance, the MID Server language setting on the user record should be set to English/None. ## Key Features * **MID Server Selection Criteria:** Service Mapping selects MID Servers based on application assignment (e.g., reserved for Service Mapping or set to ALL), network capability (e.g., SSH, WMI, SNMP, Cloud Provisioning), and IP range limitations to ensure appropriate discovery targeting. * **Selection Algorithm:** Service Mapping chooses the MID Server whose criteria best match the discovery request parameters. If no match exists, it falls back to the configured default MID Server. Both new and legacy selection algorithms are supported to accommodate different deployment needs. * **Default MID Server Configuration:** Setting a default MID Server ensures discovery proceeds even when no specific MID Server matches the discovery request criteria, improving reliability especially in upgraded deployments. * **PowerShell-based Discovery:** MID Servers can use PowerShell with WinRM or WMI protocols to communicate securely with Windows servers. PowerShell Remoting sessions stay open during queries for efficient discovery. ServiceNow supports PowerShell versions 3.0 through 5.1. * **Credential-less Discovery with Nmap:** When MID Servers lack credentials to access target devices, they can leverage Nmap for basic, credential-less discovery. This requires additional setup, including installing Nmap on the MID Server. * **Placement of MID Servers:** Placement depends on mapping scope: MID Servers inside the private network for internal devices, and both DMZ and private network for DMZ devices. In domain-separated environments, MID Servers must be located in the lowest-level (leaf) domain. ## Practical Considerations for ServiceNow Customers * Configure MID Servers with appropriate capabilities and IP ranges to ensure efficient and targeted discovery for Service Mapping. * Set a default MID Server to guarantee discovery continuity when selection criteria do not find a match. * Use PowerShell Remoting for Windows server discovery for secure, efficient communication; ensure the MID Server supports the required PowerShell versions. * Enable and configure credential-less discovery with Nmap to gather information from devices without credentials, expanding discovery coverage. * Strategically place MID Servers in network zones based on the location of devices to be mapped, considering domain separation requirements. * Choose between legacy and new MID Server selection algorithms based on your deployment version and organizational needs. Configure Service Mapping and MID Servers to work together. ## What is the MID Server {#configure-mid-service-mapping__section_swg_lzm_x1b} The Management, Instrumentation, and Discovery (MID) Server is a Java application that runs as a Windows service or UNIX daemon on a server. MID Servers, which are located in the enterprise private network, facilitate communication between servers on the network and some ServiceNow applications, such as Service Mapping, and Discovery. Note: If the Service Mapping (com.sn_itom_pattern) plugin is activated on the instance and a language plugin (for example, Spanish) is also activated, make sure that the MID Server language is also set to English/None on the user record. ## MID Server selection criteria {#configure-mid-service-mapping__section_hfg_x1n_x1b} Most environments require multiple MID Servers, with Service Mapping using the relevant MID Server for discovery. MID Servers have the following selection criteria that Service Mapping can use to choose the relevant MID Server: * Application --- defines what application a MID Server works with. Set it to Service Mapping to reserve this MID Server exclusively to Service Mapping discovery requests. Alternatively, set it to ALL to allow any ServiceNow application to use this MID Server. * Capability --- defines the network capability. For Service Mapping, set this parameter to ALL or any combination of SSH, WMI, SNMP, and Cloud Provisioning and Governance . See [Configure MID Server capabilities](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=t_ConfigureCapabilities&version=australia&pubname=australia-servicenow-platform&ft:locale=en-US). * IP range --- limits operation of this MID Server to this IP range. Service Mapping does not choose this MID Server for a discovery request whose endpoint is outside this IP range. See [Configure an IP address range for the MID Server](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=t_ConfigureMIDIPRange&version=australia&pubname=australia-servicenow-platform&ft:locale=en-US). Note: For information on how to bypass MID Server configuration based on IP range, see [Fine-tune Service Mapping with MID affinity and IP reuse](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/Fi5WgPl8_KSb4KuLbxiIhQ "The MID Server needed to map an application service might be misidentified in subnetworks with overlapping IP ranges and reused IP addresses. To enable the successful discovery of resources associated with a subnetwork, Service Mapping provides several properties for MID Server identification."). {#configure-mid-service-mapping__ul_d1h_zfv_yw} Service Mapping selects a MID Server using the following algorithm: * Service Mapping chooses the MID Server whose selection criteria best match the parameters of the discovery request. * If there are no MID Servers with matching selection criteria, Service Mapping chooses the default MID Server. * If there are no MID Servers with matching selection criteria or default MID Server, Service Mapping cannot start the discovery process. {#configure-mid-service-mapping__ul_avl_fyp_gv} While by default Service Mapping uses this algorithm in all deployments upgraded from Istanbul or Jakarta, it can support both new and legacy algorithms for selecting a MID Server. For more information, see [Choose MID Server selection algorithm](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/v9Li7GlL0GYzBf2HM1h4Pw "Service Mapping supports the new and the legacy algorithms for selecting a MID Server for a discovery request. Depending on your organization needs, you can choose which algorithm to enable."). ## Default MID Servers for Service Mapping {#configure-mid-service-mapping__section_wt5_hcn_x1b} In addition to selection criteria, you can configure one of the MID Servers as the default server that Service Mapping uses. If there are no MID Servers with matching application, capability, or IP range, Service Mapping uses the default MID Server. See [Configure a default MID Server for each application](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=t_SpecifyMIDServerApplications&version=australia&pubname=australia-servicenow-platform&ft:locale=en-US). ## Using PowerShell for discovery {#configure-mid-service-mapping__section_uwc_y44_qfb} MID Servers can use PowerShell to directly communicate with Windows servers using both WMI and WinRM protocols. For Windows services using the WinRM protocol, the PowerShell process establishes a secure PSSession (PowerShell Remoting session) that stays open until the MID Server finishes querying a Windows server. For Windows servers using the WMI protocol, the PowerShell process sends every PowerShell command with credentials. If you do not configure MID Servers to use PowerShell and PowerShell Remoting, MID Servers use WMI. ServiceNow now supports PowerShell 3.0 up to 5.1. ## MID Server credential-less discovery with Nmap {#configure-mid-service-mapping__section_hxh_vzg_4bb} If the MID Server does not have sufficient credentials to access a device or application, it can run Network Mapper (Nmap) commands to collect basic information without using credentials. Credential-less discovery with Nmap requires additional configuration as described in [Install and uninstall Nmap on a MID Server](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=install-nmap-on-mid-server&version=australia&pubname=australia-servicenow-platform&ft:locale=en-US). ServiceNow applications refer to devices and applications that comprise a service instance as configuration items (CIs). ## Placing MID Servers {#configure-mid-service-mapping__section_crz_2zm_x1b} The number of MID Servers that you require and where you place them depends on your organization needs. If you want to map devices and applications inside your private network, place the MID Servers inside the private network. If you want to map devices and applications located in the DMZ, place the MID Servers both in the DMZ and inside the private network. Figure 1. Placing MID Servers inside private network In deployments where domain separation is enabled and domains are configured to form a hierarchy, MID Servers must be placed in the lowest domain level, a "leaf domain". Figure 2. Placement of MID Servers in domain-seprated environments Once MID Servers MID Servers are installed, configure them to work with Service Mapping for the best discovery results. * **[Choose MID Server selection algorithm](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/v9Li7GlL0GYzBf2HM1h4Pw)** Service Mapping supports the new and the legacy algorithms for selecting a MID Server for a discovery request. Depending on your organization needs, you can choose which algorithm to enable. * **[MID Server configuration for Service Mapping in upgraded deployments](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/7SxrBiBFoutQDUE_LiQLXg)** For ServiceNow deployments upgraded from earlier versions to Istanbul, Service Mapping uses the legacy algorithm to choose a MID Server for a discovery request. * **[Configure a default MID Server for Service Mapping for upgraded deployments](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/9Q0MLCzop16kGJt4xTTNbw)** In deployments upgraded to Istanbul or earlier, Service Mapping uses the default MID Server when it cannot find a MID Server with the matching IP range. Configuring a default MID Server improves the discovery process. **Related concepts** * [Pattern-based discovery in Service Mapping](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/XGlxEg_6tlSpSZllEvTohA "Pattern-based discovery is the main method of Service Mapping collecting data about devices and applications used in application services. After Service Mapping collects data, it then creates a map of application services and stores the collected data in the CMDB.") * [Credential-less discovery with Nmap](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/kpia4AXUkYVbFciL5H5p_g "When authentication failure prevents configuration item (CI) identification, Discovery or Service Mapping can run selected Nmap commands through a MID Server. This collects basic CI information without credentials.") * [Credential-less Discovery with Nmap](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/kpia4AXUkYVbFciL5H5p_g "When authentication failure prevents configuration item (CI) identification, Discovery or Service Mapping can run selected Nmap commands through a MID Server. This collects basic CI information without credentials.") **Related reference** * [PowerShell for Discovery and Service Mapping](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/q4ezdLN~r5GFJQxzN~nh0w "MID Servers use PowerShell and PowerShell Remoting for accessing configuration items (CIs) during horizontal and top-down discovery. Review MID Server parameters and script includes, probe parameters, and credentials for using PowerShell.") * [Credential-less Application Discovery](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/VzkRM_qm6hNkKQ7qYgbYwg "Credential-less Application Discovery attempts to identify an application service actively listening on a specific port at a given IP address.") * [MID Server properties used by Service Mapping](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/EaM1Q6dxshlOtAviOi4ZlQ "Service Mapping uses the MID Server parameters during discovery and mapping. Do not change default values for these parameters unless you are troubleshooting the discovery process.") **Related topics** * [MID Server connection prerequisites](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=c_MIDServerConnectionPrerequisites&version=australia&pubname=australia-servicenow-platform&ft:locale=en-US) * [Multiple MID Server deployments](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=t_InstallMultplMIDSvrOnASingleSys&version=australia&pubname=australia-servicenow-platform§ion=c_DeployMultipleMIDServers&ft:locale=en-US) * [MID Server installation](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=mid-server-installation&version=australia&pubname=australia-servicenow-platform&ft:locale=en-US)