Application service maps in classic Service Mapping
Summarize
Summary of Application service maps in classic Service Mapping
Application service maps in classic Service Mapping provide a visual representation of configuration items (CIs) that make up application services, including the relationships and connections between these CIs. A new map is created whenever an application service is manually created or mapped using Service Mapping, and the map updates automatically as CIs are added or discovered. The map enables ServiceNow customers to better understand the structure and dependencies of their application services.
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Role-Based Access and Capabilities
- Service users [appserviceuser] and Service Mapping users [servicemappinguser] can view maps in View mode.
- Service administrators [appserviceadmin] and Service Mapping administrators [servicemappingadmin] can view and edit discovered or manually created services in Edit mode, but cannot modify tag-based or dynamic services from the map.
- Service Mapping administrators can also view discovery messages and errors, and reload maps to reflect the latest data.
- Service owners [smappowner] can review, provide feedback, and approve discovered or manually created services in View mode.
Note that some automatic discovery actions and information are unavailable for CIs that Service Mapping cannot discover.
Map Window and Navigation
The map window includes the application service map, a Properties pane showing details of the service instance or selected CIs, and tabs with additional information such as discovery messages and related records. Customers can navigate between application service maps via a list, zoom and pan the map, and drag the map to focus on specific areas.
Viewing changes over time is supported by choosing a time range to see modifications to the overall service instance or individual CIs.
Map Elements and Indicators
- Icons represent CIs, and arrows depict connections between them.
- Clusters (application or OS) group multiple CIs and show counts to simplify complex maps.
- Inclusions indicate contained applications within CIs.
The Properties pane displays CI attributes separately for servers and applications, with links to detailed properties. Related information such as discovery messages highlights the associated CIs.
Record indicators can be enabled to show alerts, outages, incidents, and problems on CIs and service instances, improving visibility into service health directly from the map.
Map Views and Integration
Maps can be customized to exclude irrelevant data for clarity, enhancing usability. From the map window, customers can click "Monitor Service" to open the service instance in Event Management and view alerts on the CIs within the service.
Practical Value for ServiceNow Customers
Application service maps help customers visualize and manage the components and dependencies of their services. The role-based access ensures appropriate control over viewing and editing capabilities. Real-time updates and discovery messages assist in maintaining accurate service models, while indicators and integration with Event Management support proactive service monitoring and incident management.
Maps offer you a visualization of data on configuration items (CIs) comprising application services, and relations and connections between these CIs.
A new map is created every time you manually create an application service or map an application service using Service Mapping. The system updates the map every time you add CIs to the application service or when Service Mapping runs discovery for CIs belonging to this application service.
- As a Service user [app_service_user] or Service Mapping user [service_mapping_user], you can view the map in the View mode.
- As a Service administrator [app_service_admin] or Service Mapping administrator [service_mapping_admin], you can view application services in View mode and modify discovered and manually created services in Edit mode.Important:You cannot fine-tune or edit tag-based and dynamic services from the map.
- As a Service Mapping administrator [service_mapping_admin], you can view discovery messages and errors generated by Service Mapping and modify services in the Edit mode. You can also reload the map to ensure the map reflects the latest information.
- As a Service owner [sm_app_owner] role, you can review, provide feedback, and approve services discovered using Service Mapping in the View mode. Note:The review and approval process is available only for discovered and manually created service instances.
Also, actions and information related to automatic discovery using Service Mapping are not available for CIs that Service Mapping cannot discover. For example, you do not see the tab for Discovery Messages for a manually created service instance that Service Mapping does not discover.
Map window
You can view changes made to an service instance as a whole and to individual CIs belonging to a service by choosing a time range. For more information, see View the change history of application services in classic Service Mapping.
Map elements and their appearance
CI attributes and CI-related messages
When a map is loaded and no elements are selected, the Properties pane shows the details of this service instance.
Map indicators
You can show additional information for a CI or service instance itself by displaying its related records such as alerts, outages, incidents, and problems. If you enable this feature, record indicators appear next to relevant CIs and next to the service instance name. Records themselves are displayed on the tabs at the bottom of the map window.
Map views
Customize a map view to exclude irrelevant information and increase clarity, as described in Modify view for an application service map.