Combined Agent Client Collector release notes for upgrades from Xanadu to Australia
Summarize
Summary of Combined Agent Client Collector release notes for upgrades from Xanadu to Australia
This consolidated release notes document provides a comprehensive summary of new features, changes, deprecations, and important upgrade information for the Agent Client Collector (ACC) spanning from the Xanadu release through to the Australia release. It is designed to help ServiceNow customers efficiently plan and execute their upgrades by presenting all relevant updates on a single page.
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The Agent Client Collector is activated via the Agent Client Collector Framework plugin (snagent) and the Agent Client Collector Monitoring plugin (snitmon) within an instance where Event Management is installed.
Key Features Introduced Between Xanadu and Australia
- Security Enhancements: Load allow lists from specified configuration files; enable secure agent connections by adding self-signed certificates to OS truststores; support OAuth2.0 authorization for Kubernetes Informer connections.
- Configuration Improvements: Configure agent log levels directly from the ServiceNow instance without modifying local config files; control Informer execution parameters remotely from the instance.
- Kubernetes and Cloud Integrations: Remote upgrades of Informer pods in Kubernetes clusters; store ServiceNow credentials securely in Microsoft Azure Vault or Google Cloud Secret Manager when using AKS or GKE; support custom root Certificate Authorities for Informer communication.
- Expanded Checks and Monitoring: Enhanced Linux and Windows checks for deeper system insights; new Windows event log and network port checks; monitoring of Linux events; network host availability checks; discovery of MSSQL components and Java files for licensing and auditing;
- Resource Optimization: MID-less installation option to conserve MID Server resources; use of proxy servers with MID-less installations; enable CPU protection mode to selectively disable resource-intensive checks while maintaining data collection;
- High-Volume Operations: Perform high-volume upgrades of ACC agents across Windows, Linux, and macOS environments; create tasks to resolve ACC errors and consolidate agent error messages for streamlined troubleshooting;
- Docker and Architecture Support: Support for both arm64 and amd64 architectures in docker images with backward-compatible upgrades;
- Extended Visibility and Management: View OpenShift and Kubernetes cluster versions together; update Informer extensibility settings from the instance; discover TLS/SSL certificates for lifecycle management; utilize file-based discovery on macOS;
- Diagnostics and Debugging: Improved error reporting before and after agent registration to enhance troubleshooting without direct agent log access; advanced debug logging capabilities.
Important Upgrade and Configuration Notes
- Before upgrading to Australia, complete recommended pre- and post-upgrade tasks as outlined in the release notes.
- Update existing ACC plugins by removing older versions prior to reinstalling the latest plugins.
- Configuration data files now have a maximum size limit of 10MB to ensure performance and manageability.
- New parameters such as
allowshellsupport enhanced security controls for shell execution mode checks. - Metric Explorer is available for metric visualization independent of Agent Client Collector Monitoring installation.
- Agent Client Collector Security Incident Response feature has been deprecated; customers should consult the provided deprecation guidance for alternatives.
Changes to Existing Features
- Renaming and enhancement of the Windows event check to
os.windows.check-event-log-countwith improved data collection. - Agent Client Collector for Visibility has been restructured: Kubernetes Visibility Agent replaces CNO for Visibility, and ACC for Visibility - Content focuses on content aspects.
- Service Error Management plugin now automatically installs as a dependency of ACC-F scoped app.
Key Outcomes for ServiceNow Customers
- Enhanced Security: Improved secure communications and credential management reduce risks in agent-to-instance interactions.
- Improved Management and Automation: Remote configuration, high-volume upgrades, and task creation streamline operational overhead and improve efficiency.
- Expanded Visibility: More comprehensive system checks and monitoring provide deeper insights into server health, software inventory, and network availability.
- Resource Efficiency: MID-less installation options and CPU protection mode help optimize resource usage in your environment.
- Better Troubleshooting: Enhanced error consolidation and diagnostic capabilities simplify root cause analysis and reduce downtime.
- Cloud and Kubernetes Integration: Secure credential storage in cloud vaults and improved Kubernetes Informer management align with modern cloud-native architectures.
Consolidated page of all release notes for Agent Client Collector from Xanadu to Australia.
How to use this page
To help you prepare for your upgrade, we have combined the cross-family Agent Client Collector release notes onto one page. Read this summary of the new features, changes, and updated information for your product from Xanadu to Australia.
Important information for upgrading Agent Client Collector to Australia
Before you upgrade to Australia, review these pre- and post-upgrade tasks and complete the tasks as needed.
| Release | Release notes |
|---|---|
Xanadu |
No updates for this release. |
Yokohama |
No updates for this release. |
Zurich |
No updates for this release. |
Australia |
No updates for this release. |
New features
Between your current release family and Australia, new features were introduced for Agent Client Collector.
| Release | Release notes |
|---|---|
Xanadu |
|
Yokohama |
|
Zurich |
Agent Client Collector Framework
Agent Client Collector Monitoring
Agent Client Collector for Visibility - Content
|
Australia |
No updates for this release. |
Changes
Between your current release family and Australia, some changes were made to existing Agent Client Collector features.
| Release | Release notes |
|---|---|
Xanadu |
|
Yokohama |
|
Zurich |
No updates for this release. |
Australia |
No updates for this release. |
Removed
Between your current release family and Australia, some Agent Client Collector features or functionality were removed.
| Release | Release notes |
|---|---|
Xanadu |
No updates for this release. |
Yokohama |
No updates for this release. |
Zurich |
No updates for this release. |
Australia |
No updates for this release. |
Deprecations
Between your current release family and Australia, some Agent Client Collector features or functionality were deprecated.
| Release | Release notes |
|---|---|
Xanadu |
No updates for this release. |
Yokohama |
No updates for this release. |
Zurich |
Agent Client Collector Security Incident Response is no longer supported. For details on replacement options, see the Deprecation guidance for Agent Client Collector Security Incident Response [KB2249776] article in the Now Support Knowledge Base. |
Australia |
No updates for this release. |
Activation information
Review information on how to activate Agent Client Collector.
| Release | Release notes |
|---|---|
Xanadu |
Agent Client Collector is available with activation of the Agent Client Collector Framework plugin (sn_agent) and the Agent Client Collector Monitoring plugin (sn_itmon) in an instance on which Event Management is installed. |
Yokohama |
Agent Client Collector is available with activation of the Agent Client Collector Framework plugin (sn_agent) and the Agent Client Collector Monitoring plugin (sn_itmon) in an instance on which Event Management is installed. |
Zurich |
Agent Client Collector is available with activation of the Agent Client Collector Framework plugin (sn_agent) and the Agent Client Collector Monitoring plugin (sn_itmon) in an instance on which Event Management is installed. |
Australia |
No updates for this release. |
Additional requirements
If any additional requirements were introduced or changed for Agent Client Collector we have noted them here.
| Release | Release notes |
|---|---|
Xanadu |
No updates for this release. |
Yokohama |
No updates for this release. |
Zurich |
No updates for this release. |
Australia |
No updates for this release. |
Browser requirements
If any specific browser requirements were introduced or changed for Agent Client Collector we have noted them here.
| Release | Release notes |
|---|---|
Xanadu |
No updates for this release. |
Yokohama |
No updates for this release. |
Zurich |
No updates for this release. |
Australia |
No updates for this release. |
Accessibility information
Review details on accessibility information for Agent Client Collector, such as specific requirements or compliance levels.
| Release | Release notes |
|---|---|
Xanadu |
No updates for this release. |
Yokohama |
No updates for this release. |
Zurich |
No updates for this release. |
Australia |
No updates for this release. |
Localization information
If there are specific localization considerations for Agent Client Collector we have noted them here.
| Release | Release notes |
|---|---|
Xanadu |
No updates for this release. |
Yokohama |
No updates for this release. |
Zurich |
No updates for this release. |
Australia |
No updates for this release. |
Highlight information
If there are specific highlight considerations for Agent Client Collector we have noted them here.
| Release | Release notes |
|---|---|
Xanadu |
See Agent Client Collector for more information. |
Yokohama |
See Agent Client Collector for more information. |
Zurich |
See Agent Client Collector for more information. |
Australia |
No updates for this release. |