Azure Data Factory pattern-based discovery

  • Release version: Zurich
  • Updated July 31, 2025
  • 2 minutes to read
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    Summary of Azure Data Factory pattern-based discovery

    The Azure Data Factory pattern-based discovery enables ServiceNow customers to automatically detect and map Azure Data Factory resources within their Microsoft Azure cloud environment. This discovery is part of the Discovery and Service Mapping Patterns application, which identifies Azure services and populates data into both CMDB and non-CMDB tables to provide comprehensive visibility and management of Azure resources.

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    Key Features

    • Pattern Activation: The Azure Data Factory discovery pattern is disabled by default. Customers must enable it to start discovery. Starting with Visibility Content version 6.28.0, enabling or disabling patterns is not treated as a customization and patterns will reset to the latest version after upgrades while retaining activation status.
    • Prerequisites: Customers must meet Microsoft Azure discovery prerequisites and configure their Azure service accounts properly, including using datacenter URLs to support discovery of GovCloud (US) accounts.
    • Data Collection: The discovery process collects detailed information about Azure Data Factory resources and stores it in both CMDB and non-CMDB tables:
      • Non-CMDB Table (cmdbazuredatafactorydatafactory): Captures resource identity, kind, location, provisioning state, network access status, resource group, subscription and tenant IDs, and version.
      • CMDB Table (cmdbcicmpresource): Stores install and operational status, resource type, name, description, location, version, and unique object ID for the Azure Data Factory resource.
    • Configuration Item Relationships: The discovery pattern establishes key relationships, linking Azure Data Factory resources to resource groups, datacenters, and cloud resource records to enable accurate mapping and contextual understanding.
    • Tag Discovery: Azure resource tags are collected and stored in the Key Value [cmdbkeyvalue] table, allowing customers to leverage tags for filtering, reporting, and governance.

    Practical Benefits

    • Enables accurate and up-to-date visibility of Azure Data Factory resources within the ServiceNow CMDB, supporting IT operations and cloud governance.
    • Facilitates relationship mapping between Azure resources and underlying infrastructure, improving impact analysis and change management.
    • Supports discovery of Azure GovCloud environments by requiring appropriate configuration during service account setup.
    • Maintains discovery pattern updates seamlessly through upgrades without losing activation state, ensuring continuous alignment with Azure platform changes.

    Discovery and Service Mapping Patterns finds Azure services 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 Microsoft Azure discovery prerequisites
    For more information, see the prerequisites section in Microsoft Azure Cloud discovery using 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.
    Configure the Discovery schedule to support GovCloud
    Discovering Azure GovCloud (US) accounts requires using a datacenter URL when setting up an Azure service account. For more information, see Set up Azure service accounts.

    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 Azure - Data Factory - Extended Inventory(LP) pattern.

    You can review the non-CMDB Azure tables by navigating to All > Configuration > Azure. You can also search the navigation filter for the specific pattern name.

    Table 1. Azure Data Factory [cmdb_azure_data_factory_data_factory]
    Field Description
    Identity [identity] Information about the identity associated with the resource.
    Kind [kind] The specific kind or stock keeping unit (SKU) of the resource.
    Location [location] The geographical location where the resource is deployed.
    Object Id [object_id] The unique identifier of the resource.
    Provisioning State [provisioning_state] The current provisioning status of the resource.
    Public Network Access [public_network_access] The status of public network accessibility for the resource.
    Resource Group [resource_group] Name of the resource group.
    Subscription ID [subscription_id] The subscription ID.
    Tenant ID [tenant_id] The unique identifier of the tenant containing the resource.
    Version [version] The version of the resource.
    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 Azure - Data Factory - Extended Inventory(LP) pattern.

    Table 2. Cloud Resource [cmdb_ci_cmp_resource]
    Field Description
    Install Status [install_status] Install status of the resource. Default value is Installed.
    Location [location] The geographical location where the resource is deployed.
    Name [name] The name assigned to the resource.
    Object ID [object_id] The unique identifier of the resource.
    Operational status [operational_status] Operational status of the resource. Default value is Operational.
    Resource type [resource_type] Type of resource. The value is set to microsoft.datafactory/factories.
    Description [short_description] Description of the resource or service.
    Version [version] The version of the resource.

    CI relationships

    The pattern creates these relationships to support discovery.

    CI Relationship CI
    Resource Group [cmdb_ci_resource_group] Contains::Contained by Cloud Resource [cmdb_ci_cmp_resource]
    Cloud Resource [cmdb_ci_cmp_resource] Hosted on::Hosts Azure Datacenter [cmdb_ci_azure_datacenter]
    Azure Data Factory [cmdb_azure_data_factory_data_factory] References Cloud Resource [cmdb_ci_cmp_resource]

    Azure tag discovery

    The pattern collects tags and populates them in the Key Value [cmdb_key_value] table.
    Table 3. Key Value [cmdb_key_value]
    Field Description
    Key [key] Tag name.
    Value [value] Tag value.