IBM WebSphere Application Server discovery using patterns

  • Release version: Washingtondc
  • Updated February 16, 2025
  • 3 minutes to read
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    Summary of IBM WebSphere Application Server discovery using patterns

    The Discovery and Service Mapping Patterns application enables the identification and classification of IBM WebSphere Application Servers on Windows and Linux systems. This process utilizes specific patterns for effective discovery, with pattern-based discovery being the default method as of Visibility Content version 6.1.0. WebSphere probes are disabled by default.

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    Key Features

    • Discovery Patterns: The application uses the WebSphere On Windows and WebSphere On Unix patterns.
    • Data Collection: Key data regarding the WebSphere Application Server, including server name, version, and node, is collected and populated in the CMDB.
    • CI Relationships: Discovery establishes relationships between different Configuration Items (CIs) like WebSphere servers, cells, and enterprise applications.

    Prerequisites

    For Windows Discovery

    • Ensure Discovery and Service Mapping Patterns and Visibility Content are updated.
    • Enable PowerShell on the MID Server.
    • Verify access to critical files and directories related to WebSphere.
    • Create Windows credentials for access.

    For Linux Discovery

    • Ensure Discovery and Service Mapping Patterns and Visibility Content are updated.
    • Enable SSH on the WebSphere Application Server.
    • Verify access to necessary files and directories.
    • Create SSH credentials for secure access.
    • Ensure elevated rights for executing IBM WebSphere commands.

    Key Outcomes

    Upon successful execution of the discovery process, customers can expect comprehensive visibility into their IBM WebSphere Application Servers, including detailed information stored in the CMDB. This enhances operational efficiency and supports effective service mapping strategies within the ServiceNow environment.

    The Discovery and Service Mapping Patterns application uses the Websphere On Windows and Websphere On Unix patterns to find IBM WebSphere Application Servers. Discovering some of these resources requires updating the Discovery and Service Mapping Patterns application from the ServiceNow Store.

    The IBM WebSphere Application Server is a software framework with middleware that hosts Java-based web applications. Discovery identifies and classifies information about the IBM WebSphere Application Server on both Windows and Linux computers.

    Note:
    Starting with Visibility Content version 6.1.0, pattern-based discovery is the default method for discovering IBM WebSphere Application Servers. The WebSphere probes are disabled by default. For more information, see IBM WebSphere server discovery using probes.

    Request apps on the Store

    Visit the ServiceNow Store website to view all the available apps and for information about submitting requests to the store. For cumulative release notes information for all released apps, see the ServiceNow Store version history release notes.

    Prerequisites for Windows discovery

    Verify that the following applications are up to date:
    • Discovery and Service Mapping Patterns
    • Visibility Content
    Enable PowerShell on the MID Server
    For more information, see Set up MID Servers to use PowerShell.
    Verify access to files and directories
    Verify access to the following files and directories:
    • Installation directory of the product
    • Configuration directory of the product
    • versionInfo.bat
    • WAS.product
    • BASE.product
    • profile.version
    • Express.product
    • application.xml
    • server.xml
    • cell.xml
    Create Windows credentials
    For more information, see Windows credentials.
    Schedule a horizontal discovery
    For more information, see Schedule a horizontal discovery.

    Prerequisites for Linux discovery

    Verify that the following applications are up to date:
    • Discovery and Service Mapping Patterns
    • Visibility Content
    Enable SSH on WebSphere Application Server
    For more information, see the "Setting up SSH on Linux or UNIX servers" article in the "WebSphere Automation" section of the IBM documentation (https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/products).
    Verify access to files and directories
    Verify access to the following files and directories:
    • Installation directory of the product
    • Configuration directory of the product
    • oeconsol
    • WAS_HOME
    • CONFIG_ROOT
    • versionInfo.sh
    • WAS.product
    • BASE.product
    • profile.version
    • Express.product
    • application.xml
    • server.xml
    • cell.xml
    Create SSH credentials
    For more information, see SSH credentials.
    Verify elevated rights for IBM WebSphere Application Server commands
    For more information, see IBM WebSphere Application Server (on UNIX) table in Service Mapping commands requiring a privileged user.
    Schedule a horizontal discovery
    For more information, see Schedule a horizontal discovery.

    Data collected by Discovery during horizontal discovery

    Discovery populates the data in the CMDB when running the Websphere On Windows and Websphere On Unix patterns.

    Table 1. IBM Websphere [cmdb_ci_app_server_websphere]
    Field Description
    Name [name] Name of the WebSphere Application Server.
    Version [version] Current version of the WebSphere Application Server.
    Node [node] Name of the Node grouping the WebSphere Application Server or servers.
    Cell [cell] Name of the cell grouping one or more nodes of the WebSphere Application Server.
    Table 2. Websphere EAR [cmdb_ci_app_server_ws_ear]
    Field Description
    Name [name] Name of the enterprise application archive (EAR) file.
    Installation directory [install_directory] Installation directory of the EAR file.
    Table 3. Web Service [cmdb_ci_web_service]
    Field Description
    Name [name] Name of the web service.
    Service ID [service_id] ID of the web service.
    Attributes [attributes] Additional attributes of the web service.
    Table 4. Websphere Cell [cmdb_ci_websphere_cell]
    Field Description
    Name [name] Name of the WebSphere cell.
    Cell ID [cell_id] ID of the WebSphere cell.
    Cell type [cell_type] Type of the WebSphere cell.
    Cell discovery protocol [cell_discovery_protocol] Cell discovery protocol.
    Description [short_description] Description of the cell, if one has been provided. This field is populated in Linux discovery only.

    CI relationships

    Discovery creates these relationships to support the WebSphere Application Server discovery for both Windows and Linux systems.

    CI Relationship CI
    IBM Websphere [cmdb_ci_app_server_websphere] Contains::Contained by Websphere Cell [cmdb_ci_websphere_cell]
    IBM Websphere [cmdb_ci_app_server_websphere] Contains::Contained by Websphere EAR [cmdb_ci_app_server_ws_ear]
    Web Service [cmdb_ci_web_service] Runs on::Runs IBM Websphere [cmdb_ci_app_server_websphere]