AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store pattern-based discovery

  • Release version: Zurich
  • 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 locate and map AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store parameters within their cloud environment. This feature is part of the Discovery and Service Mapping Patterns application and requires adherence to AWS discovery prerequisites. Activating this pattern allows automated population of parameter data into both Configuration Management Database (CMDB) and non-CMDB tables, supporting comprehensive cloud resource management.

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    Key Features

    • Pattern Activation: The pattern is disabled by default and must be enabled. Since Visibility Content version 6.28.0, pattern activation or deactivation retains update compatibility without being treated as customization.
    • Prerequisites: Customers must verify AWS discovery prerequisites and ensure relevant resources are not listed in the Resource Inclusion List [sacloudinventoryresourcewhitelist] to avoid duplicate discovery.
    • Data Population:
      • Non-CMDB Tables: Data such as parameter name, Amazon Resource Name (ARN), type (String, StringList, SecureString), and version are stored in the cmdbawssystemsmanagerparameterstore table when running the extended inventory pattern.
      • CMDB Tables: Parameters are also recorded as cloud resources in the cmdbcicmpresource table, including fields like name, ARN, resource type (set to AWS::SystemsManager::ParameterStore), install status, and operational status.
    • CI Relationships and References: The pattern establishes relationships, for example, linking parameter resources to AWS datacenters with "Hosted on" relationships, and references between parameter store records and cloud resources, enhancing CMDB data integrity.
    • AWS Tag Discovery: Tags associated with parameters are collected and stored in the cmdbkeyvalue table, linking tag names and values to their respective cloud resource records.

    Practical Benefits for ServiceNow Customers

    • Automates discovery of AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store parameters to maintain up-to-date CMDB and extended inventory data.
    • Provides a structured view of parameters with detailed attributes and relationships, supporting better cloud resource governance and auditing.
    • Ensures accurate tag collection for improved resource categorization and reporting within ServiceNow.
    • Reduces duplicate discovery risks by managing the Resource Inclusion List appropriately.
    • Maintains pattern update compatibility while allowing flexible activation without risking customization conflicts.

    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.