Amazon Elastic File System (Amazon EFS) pattern-based discovery

  • Release version: Zurich
  • Updated July 20, 2026
  • 2 minutes to read
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    Summary of Amazon Elastic File System (Amazon EFS) pattern-based discovery

    The Amazon Elastic File System (Amazon EFS) pattern-based discovery in ServiceNow enables automated identification and mapping of Amazon EFS resources within your AWS cloud environment. This capability is part of the Discovery and Service Mapping Patterns application, which requires updating to the latest version from the ServiceNow Store to ensure access to the newest features and improvements.

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    Key Features

    • Pattern Activation: The EFS discovery pattern is disabled by default. Activating it in Visibility Content version 6.28.0 or later allows ongoing updates without being treated as a customization.
    • Prerequisites and Setup: Proper AWS discovery prerequisites must be met, including removing EFS resources from the Resource Inclusion List to prevent duplicate discovery. For AWS GovCloud accounts, discovery requires configuring the AWS service account with the appropriate datacenter URL.
    • Data Storage: Discovered Amazon EFS data is stored both in CMDB and non-CMDB tables, supporting comprehensive asset tracking and relationship mapping.

    Data and Configuration Details

    • Non-CMDB Data: The Amazon AWS - Elastic File System - Extended Inventory (LP) pattern populates data in non-CMDB AWS tables accessible via the Configuration > AWS navigation. Key fields include the Amazon Resource Name (ARN), file system name, and file system ID.
    • CMDB Data: The same pattern also populates the Cloud Directory [cmdbciclouddirectory] table in the CMDB with detailed resource information such as install status, operational status, and resource type classified as AWS::Elastic File System::File System.
    • CI Relationships: The discovery pattern establishes relationships between the Cloud Directory, AWS Datacenter, and Elastic File System CIs to support accurate service mapping.
    • Tag Discovery: AWS tags associated with EFS resources are collected and stored in the Key Value [cmdbkeyvalue] table, allowing you to manage and utilize metadata effectively.

    Practical Benefits

    By enabling the Amazon EFS pattern-based discovery, ServiceNow customers can achieve automated, accurate, and up-to-date visibility of their Amazon EFS resources. This integration supports robust configuration management, improves cloud asset tracking, and enhances service mapping accuracy, which is critical for operational efficiency and compliance in AWS environments.

    Discovery and Service Mapping Patterns finds AWS services on your cloud environment. Discovering some of these resources may require updating to the latest version of the Discovery and Service Mapping Patterns application from the ServiceNow Store.

    Pattern-based discovery and mapping requirements

    Verify the AWS discovery prerequisites
    For more information, see the prerequisites section in AWS discovery using patterns.
    Remove resources from the Resource Inclusion List table
    Verify that the relevant resource isn't listed in the Resource Inclusion List [sa_cloud_inventory_resource_whitelist] table to avoid duplicate discovery. For more information on removing resources from the Resource Inclusion List, see AWS Resource Inventory discovery with Patterns.
    Enable the relevant pattern
    The pattern for this service is disabled by default. Starting with Visibility Content version 6.28.0, activating or deactivating a pattern won't be considered a customization, and it will continue to receive updates. Patterns that were previously activated or deactivated will reset to the latest predefined version after upgrading while retaining the last active field value. For more information on enabling patterns, see Activate a disabled pattern.
    Configure the Discovery schedule to support GovCloud
    Discovering AWS GovCloud (US) accounts requires using a datacenter URL when setting up an AWS service account. For more information, see Create AWS service accounts.

    Discovery and Service Mapping Patterns application populates data in both CMDB and non-CMDB tables.

    Data stored in non-CMDB tables

    Discovery and Service Mapping Patterns application populates data in the non-CMDB table when running the Amazon AWS - Elastic File System - Extended Inventory (LP) pattern.

    You can review the non-CMDB AWS tables by navigating to All > Configuration > AWS. You can also search the navigation filter for the specific pattern name.

    Table 1. AWS Elastic File System [cmdb_aws_elastic_file_system_file_system]
    Field Description
    Object Id [object_id] The Amazon Resource Name (ARN) for the file system.
    Name [name] The assigned name of the Amazon EFS file system.
    Configuration Item [configuration_item] References the Cloud Directory [cmdb_ci_cloud_directory] table.
    File System ID [file_system_id] The unique identifier of the Amazon EFS file system.

    Data stored in CMDB tables

    Discovery and Service Mapping Patterns application populates data in the CMDB when running the Amazon AWS - Elastic File System - Extended Inventory (LP) pattern.

    Table 2. Cloud Directory [cmdb_ci_cloud_directory]
    Field Description
    Object ID [object_id] The ARN for the file system.
    Name [name] The assigned name of the Amazon EFS file system.
    Install Status [install_status] Install status of the resource. Default value is Installed.
    Operational status [operational_status] Operational status of the resource. Default value is Operational.
    Description [short_description] Type of resource. The value is set to AWS::Elastic File System::File System.

    CI relationships

    The Amazon AWS - Elastic File System - Extended Inventory (LP) pattern creates these relationships to support Amazon EFS discovery.

    CI Relationship CI
    Cloud Directory [cmdb_ci_cloud_directory] Hosted on::Hosts AWS Datacenter [cmdb_ci_aws_datacenter]
    AWS Elastic File System [cmdb_aws_elastic_file_system_file_system] References Cloud Directory [cmdb_ci_cloud_directory]

    AWS tag discovery

    The pattern collects tags and populates them in the Key Value [cmdb_key_value] table.
    Table 3. Key Value [cmdb_key_value]
    Field Description
    Key [key] Tag name.
    Value [value] Tag value.