AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store pattern-based discovery

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

    The AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store pattern-based discovery enables ServiceNow customers to discover and map AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store parameters within their cloud environments using the Discovery and Service Mapping Patterns application. This functionality requires verifying AWS discovery prerequisites and ensuring no duplicate discovery occurs by managing the Resource Inclusion List.

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    The pattern for this service is disabled by default but can be enabled without affecting customization status and will receive continuous updates. Discovery results populate both CMDB and non-CMDB tables, providing comprehensive visibility into AWS parameter store assets.

    Key Features

    • Prerequisite Verification: Customers must verify AWS discovery prerequisites and remove relevant resources from the Resource Inclusion List to prevent duplicate discovery.
    • Pattern Activation: The AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store discovery pattern can be enabled in the Discovery and Service Mapping Patterns application starting with Visibility Content version 6.28.0. Activating/deactivating the pattern retains the last active state after upgrades.
    • Data Storage: Discovered parameters are stored in both CMDB and non-CMDB tables, allowing detailed resource tracking:
      • Non-CMDB Table: The cmdbawssystemsmanagerparameterstore table holds parameter details such as name, Amazon Resource Name (ARN), type (String, StringList, SecureString), and version.
      • CMDB Table: The cmdbcicmpresource table tracks resource name, ARN, resource type (set as AWS::SystemsManager::ParameterStore), install status (default: Installed), and operational status (default: Operational).
    • CI Relationships and References: Relationships such as "Hosted on::Hosts AWS Datacenter" are created to contextualize parameters within the AWS infrastructure. References link parameter records to other relevant tables for comprehensive mapping.
    • AWS Tag Discovery: Tags associated with parameters are collected and stored in the cmdbkeyvalue table, including tag names, values, and references to the corresponding cloud resource.

    Practical Benefits for ServiceNow Customers

    • Enables automated detection and inventory of AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store parameters in your cloud environment.
    • Ensures accurate and up-to-date CMDB data by integrating parameter details and their AWS context, improving operational visibility and resource management.
    • Supports relationship mapping to AWS datacenters, facilitating impact analysis and service dependency understanding.
    • Captures AWS tags for enhanced filtering, reporting, and governance within ServiceNow.
    • Allows seamless pattern activation and upgrade management without losing customization or active status settings.

    Discovery and Service Mapping Patterns finds AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store parameters 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 Parameter Store - 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 Parameter Store [cmdb_aws_systems_manager_parameter_store]
    Field Description
    Name [name] Name of the parameter.
    Object ID [object_id] The Amazon Resource Name (ARN) of the parameter.
    Type [type] The type of the parameter. The value is String, StringList, or SecureString.
    Version [version] The version number of the parameter.
    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 Parameter Store - Extended Inventory (LP) pattern.

    Table 2. Cloud Resource [cmdb_ci_cmp_resource]
    Field Description
    Name [name] Name of the parameter.
    Object ID [object_id] The ARN of the parameter.
    Resource type [resource_type] Type of resource. The value is set to AWS::SystemsManager::ParameterStore.
    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 Parameter Store - Extended Inventory (LP) pattern creates the following relationships and references to support AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store 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 Parameter Store [cmdb_aws_systems_manager_parameter_store] 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 Parameter Store - 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.