SCOM connector instance form

  • Release version: Yokohama
  • Updated January 30, 2025
  • 3 minutes to read
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    Summary of SCOM connector instance form

    The SCOM connector instance form in ServiceNow is used to configure and manage connector instances that integrate with Microsoft System Center Operations Manager (SCOM). This form captures essential details for connecting to and collecting events or metrics from SCOM, enabling effective event and metric monitoring within ServiceNow.

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    Key Configuration Fields

    • Name and Description: Define a unique name and describe the purpose of the connector instance for easy identification.
    • Active: Activate or deactivate the connector instance. This option appears only for existing instances.
    • Connector Definition: Select between SCOM (for event collection) or SCOM Metrics (for metric monitoring). Choosing SCOM Metrics reveals additional metric-specific fields.
    • Assignment Group: Assign the connector instance to a support or administrator group responsible for its management.
    • Host IP and Credentials: Specify the SCOM server IP address and select corresponding Windows credentials. These fields are hidden when SCOM Metrics is selected.
    • MID Servers: Designate one or more valid MID Servers to facilitate communication between ServiceNow and SCOM. The MID Servers must match those configured on the Windows credentials and have network access on port 1433.
    • Event Collection Settings: Configure the schedule in seconds for event polling, view the last run time, status, and any error messages related to event collection. These fields are not shown for metric connectors.
    • Bi-directional Option: Enable two-way data exchange with SCOM. This feature has a default implementation and displays status information when activated. Not applicable for metrics connectors.

    SCOM Metrics Specific Fields

    When SCOM Metrics is selected as the connector definition, the form displays fields related to metric collection:

    • Metrics Collection: Enabled by default and read-only, indicating metric collection is active.
    • Metrics Collection Schedule: Set the frequency (in seconds) for running the Metric Intelligence Collection job.
    • Metrics Database Connection: Specify the IP or hostname, port (default 1433), or named instance for connecting to the metrics database via JDBC.
    • Authentication: Choose between Windows authentication using logged-in MID Server credentials or JDBC credentials for database login.
    • Metrics Collection Status: Displays the last run time and status of the metrics collection job, which are read-only.

    Practical Considerations for ServiceNow Customers

    • Ensure Windows credentials and MID Server assignments are consistent and properly configured to avoid connection issues.
    • Use the correct connector definition based on your monitoring needs—event collection or metric intelligence.
    • Configure event collection schedules thoughtfully to balance timely data updates with system performance.
    • Pay attention to error messages and status fields to troubleshoot connection or collection problems promptly.
    • For metric connectors, carefully configure database connection details and authentication to enable smooth metric data collection.

    The SCOM connector instance form displays the fields you must fill in when creating a SCOM connector instance.

    Table 1. Connector instance page
    Field Description
    Name Unique name for the SCOM connector instance.
    Description Description for the use of the SCOM event collection instance.
    Active Select to activate the connector instance.

    Appears only when selecting a connector instance that has already been created.
    Connector definition The vendor and protocol used to gather events from the external event source.

    For a regular SCOM connector, select SCOM.

    For a connector instance that you want to monitor metrics, select SCOM Metrics. When selecting this option, the fields in the Connector instance - metrics fields table appear.
    Assignment group Select the group to whom the connector instance is assigned.

    For example, this may be a group of administrators or a support group.
    Host IP Specify the SCOM IP address.

    This field does not appear when SCOM metrics is selected as the Connector definition.
    Credential Select Windows credentials.
    Note:
    When configuring Windows credentials, if the credential applies to specific MID servers, ensure that the MID Servers you specify on the credential record match the MID Servers specified in the MID Servers for Connectors section on the Connector Instance form.

    This field does not appear when SCOM metrics is selected as the Connector definition.
    Event collection last run time The last event collection run time value updates automatically.

    This field does not appear when SCOM metrics is selected as the Connector definition.
    Last event collection status The last event collection run time status updates automatically.

    This field does not appear when SCOM metrics is selected as the Connector definition.
    Event collection schedule (seconds) The frequency in seconds that the system checks for new events from SCOM Operations.

    This field does not appear when SCOM metrics is selected as the Connector definition.
    Bi-directional Select to invoke the bi-directional option. This option enables the bi-directional exchange of values to-and-from the external event source. There is default implementation for SCOM. The Last bi-directional status option displays only when this option is selected.

    This field does not appear when SCOM metrics is selected as the Connector definition.
    Last bi-directional status The value of this field populates automatically.

    This field does not appear when SCOM metrics is selected as the Connector definition.
    Last error message The last error message field is automatically updated. This message is the last error message received by the connector. If the test connector fails, an error message is displayed in this field.

    This field does not appear when SCOM metrics is selected as the Connector definition.
    MID Servers (MID Server for Connectors section) Specify one or more MID Servers that are up and valid.

    MID Servers sort according to the order that their details were entered into the MID Server for Connectors section. The port requirement from the MID Server to the SCOM server is 1433. If the specified MID Server is in a cluster, it may not be selected and another available MID Server is selected in its place. Ensure that the specified MID Servers match the MID Servers specified on the Windows Credentials page, as the connector uses Windows credentials to access MID Servers.

    If no MID Server is specified, an available MID Server that has a matching IP range is used.
    Table 2. Connector instance - metrics fields (displayed when Connector definition = SCOM Metrics)
    Field Description
    Metrics collection Selected by default. Read-only.
    Metrics collection last run time The last run time of the Metrics Collection scheduled job.

    This field is read-only.
    Last metrics collection status Status of the Metric Intelligence collection activity. The value of this field populates automatically.

    This field is read-only.
    Metrics collection schedule (seconds) The time, in seconds, to repeat the Metric Intelligence Collection scheduled job.
    Metrics database host The IP address or the host name of the metrics database host.
    Connect using a named instance When selected, the connection is made using the specified named instance. Otherwise, the connection is made using the specified port.
    Metrics database port The port used by the metrics database. The connection is made using JDBC. Default port number is 1433.

    If Connect using a named instance is selected, this option does not appear.
    Metrics database named instance The metrics database instance name.
    Database login with Windows authentication Perform database login with the credentials of the logged-in user defined on the MID Server service.
    Metrics database credential Credentials for the metric database. Use JDBC credentials for the local database user.

    If Database login with Windows authentication is selected, this option does not appear.