AWS Systems Manager Document pattern-based discovery

  • Release version: Australia
  • Updated May 13, 2026
  • 2 minutes to read
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    Summary of AWS Systems Manager Document pattern-based discovery

    The AWS Systems Manager Document pattern-based discovery enables ServiceNow customers to identify and map AWS Systems Manager Documents within their cloud environments using the Discovery and Service Mapping Patterns application. This functionality helps populate both CMDB and non-CMDB tables with detailed information about Systems Manager Documents, enhancing visibility and management of AWS resources.

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    Key Features

    • Pattern Activation: The pattern for discovering AWS Systems Manager Documents is disabled by default and must be enabled manually. Starting with Visibility Content version 6.28.0, pattern activation or deactivation is no longer treated as a customization, ensuring patterns receive updates and reset to the latest version after upgrades while retaining their active status.
    • Prerequisites and Configuration: Customers must verify AWS discovery prerequisites and ensure resources are not listed in the Resource Inclusion List table to prevent duplicate discoveries.
    • Data Population: The discovery populates data in two main areas:
      • Non-CMDB tables: When running the "Amazon AWS - Systems Manager Document - Extended Inventory (LP)" pattern, data about Systems Manager Documents is stored in non-CMDB AWS-specific tables accessible via ServiceNow’s navigation.
      • CMDB tables: Relevant document data is also stored in the CMDB, particularly in the Cloud Resource [cmdbcicmpresource] table, allowing integration into broader configuration management processes.
    • Comprehensive Document Details: The discovery captures key attributes of AWS Systems Manager Documents including name, ARN, format (JSON, YAML, TEXT), type (Command, Automation, etc.), version, owner, author, display name, and review status.
    • CI Relationships and References: The pattern creates relationships linking Systems Manager Documents to AWS Datacenters and other configuration items, supporting comprehensive service mapping and impact analysis.
    • AWS Tag Discovery: Tags associated with Systems Manager Documents are collected and stored in the Key Value [cmdbkeyvalue] table, enabling tag-based filtering and reporting.

    Practical Outcomes for ServiceNow Customers

    • Improved visibility into AWS Systems Manager Documents through automated discovery and accurate data population in the CMDB and related tables.
    • Enhanced service mapping capabilities by establishing clear relationships between AWS Systems Manager Documents and underlying infrastructure.
    • Streamlined cloud resource management with up-to-date document metadata and tagging information, supporting governance and compliance efforts.
    • Reduced risk of duplicate discovery by managing the Resource Inclusion List effectively.
    • Ongoing pattern updates ensure customers benefit from the latest discovery enhancements without losing custom activation settings.

    Discovery and Service Mapping Patterns finds AWS Systems Manager Documents 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.

    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 - Systems Manager Document - 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 Systems Manager Document [cmdb_aws_systems_manager_document]
    Field Description
    Name [name] Name of the Systems Manager document.
    Object ID [object_id] The Amazon Resource Name (ARN) of the document, in the following format: arn:aws:ssm:{region}:{account-id}:document/{document-name}.
    Document Format [document_format] The format of the document. The value is JSON, YAML, or TEXT.
    Document Type [document_type] The type of the document.

    For example: Command, Automation, Session, Policy, or Package.
    Document Version [document_version] The document version.
    Owner [owner] The AWS account ID that owns the document.
    Author [author] The author of the document.
    Display Name [display_name] The display name of the document.
    Review Status [review_status] The review status of the document. The value is APPROVED, PENDING, REJECTED, or NOT_REVIEWED.
    Configuration Item [configuration_item] References the Cloud Resource [cmdb_ci_cmp_resource] table.

    Data stored in CMDB tables

    Discovery and Service Mapping Patterns application populates data in the CMDB when running the Amazon AWS - Systems Manager Document - Extended Inventory (LP) pattern.

    Table 2. Cloud Resource [cmdb_ci_cmp_resource]
    Field Description
    Name [name] Name of the Systems Manager document.
    Object ID [object_id] The ARN of the document, in the following format: arn:aws:ssm:{region}:{account-id}:document/{document-name}.
    Resource type [resource_type] Type of resource. The value is set to AWS::SystemsManager::Document.
    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 - Systems Manager Document - Extended Inventory (LP) pattern creates the following relationships and references to support AWS Systems Manager Document discovery. References link to records in other tables and don't appear in the CI Relationship [cmdb_rel_ci] table.

    Table 3. CI relationships
    CI Relationship CI
    Cloud Resource [cmdb_ci_cmp_resource] Hosted on::Hosts AWS Datacenter [cmdb_ci_aws_datacenter]
    Table 4. CI references
    CI Field Referenced CI
    AWS Systems Manager Document [cmdb_aws_systems_manager_document] Configuration Item [configuration_item] Cloud Resource [cmdb_ci_cmp_resource]
    Key Value [cmdb_key_value] Configuration item [configuration_item] Cloud Resource [cmdb_ci_cmp_resource]

    AWS Tag discovery

    The Amazon AWS - Systems Manager Document - Extended Inventory (LP) pattern collects tags and populates them in the Key Value [cmdb_key_value] table.

    Table 5. Key Value [cmdb_key_value]
    Field Description
    Key [key] Tag name.
    Value [value] Tag value.
    Configuration item [configuration_item] References the Cloud Resource [cmdb_ci_cmp_resource] table.