---
sourceDocument: Australia ServiceNow AI Platform Capabilities
sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/servicenow-platform

 Release :

    - australia

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Australia ServiceNow AI Platform Capabilities

ft:clusterId :

    - platcap

bundleId :

    - platcap

workflow :

    - Platform


---

# CMDB classifications and class dependency

# CMDB classifications and class dependency {#ariaid-title1}

* Release version: Australia
* 
* Updated March 12, 2026
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 1 minute to read

CMDB classifications are groups of CIs that share attributes and are stored in their own class table. Classifications let administrators to define a class hierarchy for the CIs within the CMDB.
A CI class refers to the actual table name in the instance database. In that context, 'CI type' is a friendly name that a CI is known by, such as computer, router, or printer.

One of the characteristics of a CMDB class is its dependency on other classes. A class can be independent or dependent, which determines the dependency or independence of the class CIs.

Independent CIs
:   CIs from an independent class, such as Linux Server CIs, have their own identity, exist by themselves, and aren't dependent on any other CIs.

Dependent CIs
:   CIs from a depended class have relationships with CIs from other classes and exist meaningfully only if these relationships exist. Dependent CIs don't exist on their own in the absence of the dependent relationship. For example:

    * Network Adapter CIs don't exist meaningfully without the Hardware CIs that contain them.
    * Application CIs don't exist on their own without the Server CI they are hosted on.
    {#c_CMDBClassifications__ul_bkp_5w3_brb}

Identification processes in the [Identification and Reconciliation Engine (IRE)](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/7cYVySk8Za0O29HjENzRlw "IRE is an underlying key component in Identification and Reconciliation, providing a centralized framework to perform identification and reconciliation processes across different data sources. IRE uses identification rules, reconciliation rules, and IRE data source rules when processing incoming data before inserting that data to the CMDB.") CMDB feature extensively use CIs dependency classification. To find out the dependency classification of a class, open the Identification Rule page for a class in [CI Class Manager](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/XeHgHGmCieUlQ6rwpgEmdA "Identification rules are used to uniquely identify CIs in the CMDB, as part of Identification and Reconciliation (IRE) processes. Each CMDB class can be associated with a single identification rule."). To establish CI dependency, use the CI Class Manager to specify [dependent relationship rules](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/b2lPneCSx7YvLeNc1jcmPw#create-dep-relationship-for-class "Use the CI Class Manager to create a basic dependent relationship rule (hosting or containment relationship rule) for a CMDB class.") for a CI class.

For more information, see [Identification rules](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/qG5r~lgjzB8eUVVTvbX_fw "The CMDB identification process relies on identification rules to uniquely identify CIs.").
* **[Dependent CIs management](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/6uIdsynd7u96MF49x0l4bg)**   
  A life cycle update for a CI affects its dependent CIs. For example, when the CI that a dependent CI depends on is deleted, the dependent CI becomes orphan with no further use. To maintain the integrity and health of the CMDB, the system applies cascade-cleanup processes to dependent CIs that are affected by a life cycle update.
* **[CMDB record types](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/FebUNZpm3IUWhouAvxrpew)**   
  The CMDB contains the following major record types.
* **[Related Lists of CI components](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/1mhwfKRbbTibrz7rD7koAw)**   
  Related lists in CI records display additional components contained by that CI, such as disk drives on a server and the rules that control the behavior of a network router.
* **[Create a CI class](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/~I7yad6lfew9co2x0Q7mUA)**   
  Create a CI class (table) that is an extension of an existing CI class. Then create identification and reconciliation rules for the new class.
* **[Reclassify a CI](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/AWEQF6hRbfplBZvBqpk5VA)**   
  You can upgrade, downgrade, or switch the class of a CI by modifying its Class attribute.
* **[Delete CIs](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/UerocPe6cpz79N2H~lVuwQ)**   
  You can use the CI Class Manager to delete CIs that are no longer needed.
* **[View and edit class definitions and metadata](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/HgN3Kyy5jbQGOy5JQ_xN5Q)**   
  Use the CI Class Manager as a central location to explore the CMDB class hierarchy, CI table definitions, and class CIs. View the details of each table such as its label and fields, relationships, and all related metadata definitions.
* **[Principal Class](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/ENE4G2KZHXZ4qUyd2nyztg)**   
  A Principal Class is a designation for those CMDB classes that are most critical for foundational data health and governance in the organization. Those classes are then prioritized for tracking, health, certification, lifecycle management, and class list views.