Amazon RDS DB Snapshot pattern-based discovery

  • Release version: Zurich
  • Updated August 10, 2026
  • 2 minutes to read
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    Summary of Amazon RDS DB Snapshot pattern-based discovery

    The Amazon RDS DB Snapshot pattern-based discovery in ServiceNow’s Discovery and Service Mapping Patterns application enables automated detection and inventory of Amazon RDS DB snapshots within your AWS cloud environment. This functionality helps you maintain accurate, up-to-date configuration data for RDS snapshots across your CMDB and non-CMDB tables, facilitating improved cloud resource management and operational insight.

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    Key Features

    • Pattern Activation: The RDS DB Snapshot discovery pattern is disabled by default and must be enabled manually. Starting with Visibility Content version 6.28.0, pattern activation status is preserved during upgrades while syncing with the latest predefined version.
    • AWS Prerequisites: Ensure AWS discovery prerequisites are met, including removing any relevant resources from the Resource Inclusion List to prevent duplicate discoveries.
    • GovCloud Support: Discovery supports AWS GovCloud (US) accounts by configuring the appropriate datacenter URL when setting up the AWS service account.
    • Data Population: Discovery updates both CMDB and non-CMDB tables to capture comprehensive RDS snapshot details.
    • Tag Collection: AWS tags associated with RDS snapshots are collected and stored in the Key Value table for enhanced resource metadata.

    Data Captured and Tables

    The discovery populates two main types of tables with detailed snapshot information:

    • Non-CMDB Table cmdbawsrelationaldatabaseservicesdbsnapshot: Stores snapshot-specific fields such as ARN (objectid), name, availability zone, status, DB instance identifier, database engine and version, and a reference to the related Cloud Resource.
    • CMDB Table cmdbcicmpresource: Contains core configuration item data with fields including ARN (objectid), name, resource type (set as AWS::RDS::DBSnapshot), install status (default Installed), and operational status (default Operational).

    Configuration Item Relationships

    The discovery pattern establishes relationships between the RDS DB Snapshot CI and other resources to provide context and traceability:

    • Hosted on: Links the snapshot CI to its hosting AWS datacenter.
    • References Cloud Resource: Connects the snapshot record to the corresponding Cloud Resource CI.

    Practical Benefits and Usage

    By implementing this discovery pattern, ServiceNow customers can automate the detection and inventory of RDS DB snapshots, ensuring consistent and accurate cloud resource data in the CMDB. This enables better resource governance, impact analysis, and compliance tracking. The inclusion of tag data further enhances resource categorization and management.

    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 - Relational Database Services DB Snapshot - 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 Relational Database Services - DB Snapshot [cmdb_aws_relational_database_services_db_snapshot]
    Field Description
    Object Id [object_id] The Amazon Resource Name (ARN) that uniquely identifies the database snapshot.
    Name [name] A unique identifier for the RDS database snapshot.
    Availability Zone [availability_zone] The availability zone where the database snapshot was created.
    Status [status] The current state or progress of the database snapshot.
    Configuration Item [configuration_item] References the Cloud Resource [cmdb_ci_cmp_resource] table.
    DB Instance Identifier [db_instance_identifier] The identifier of the RDS DB instance associated with the snapshot.
    Engine [engine] The database engine used for the snapshot. For example: MySQL or PostgreSQL.
    Engine Version [engine_version] The version of the database engine for the snapshot.

    Data stored in CMDB tables

    Discovery and Service Mapping Patterns application populates data in the CMDB when running the Amazon AWS - Relational Database Services DB Snapshot - Extended Inventory (LP) pattern.

    Table 2. Cloud Resource [cmdb_ci_cmp_resource]
    Field Description
    Object ID [object_id] The ARN that uniquely identifies the database snapshot.
    Name [name] A unique identifier for the RDS database snapshot.
    Resource type [resource_type] Type of resource. The value is set to AWS::RDS::DBSnapshot.
    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.

    CI relationships

    The Amazon AWS - Relational Database Services DB Snapshot - Extended Inventory (LP) pattern creates these relationships to support Amazon RDS DB Snapshot discovery.

    CI Relationship CI
    Cloud Resource [cmdb_ci_cmp_resource] Hosted on::Hosts AWS Datacenter [cmdb_ci_aws_datacenter]
    AWS Relational Database Services - DB Snapshot [cmdb_aws_relational_database_services_db_snapshot] References Cloud Resource [cmdb_ci_cmp_resource]

    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.