Discovery Guided Setup

  • Release version: Zurich
  • Updated June 11, 2026
  • 2 minutes to read
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    Summary of Discovery Guided Setup

    The ITOM Discovery Guided Setup is a structured sequence of tasks designed to help ServiceNow customers install and configure Discovery efficiently. It guides users through essential activities to establish accurate visibility in the Configuration Management Database (CMDB) and build a strong foundation for IT operations. The setup is organized into four phases—Learn, Crawl, Walk, and Run—each supporting different stages of Discovery implementation.

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    Note: This Guided Setup has been replaced by the ITOM Configuration Console, which provides a faster installation and update process with interactive configuration pages and automated implementation via Now Assist. A direct link to the ITOM Configuration Console is included in the Learn phase.

    Phases

    • Learn: Develop foundational knowledge of Discovery’s core principles, techniques, and prerequisites.
    • Crawl: Perform initial technical setup including plugin installation, credential configuration, and instance preparation for scheduling.
    • Walk: Configure and activate Discovery schedules, add credentials, and install and validate MID Servers.
    • Run: Monitor and optimize ongoing Discovery operations using tools like Discovery Admin Workspace and Content 360 to ensure performance and success.

    Key Features

    The Guided Setup offers step-by-step configuration support with intuitive navigation and progress tracking, enabling smooth completion of Discovery setup tasks. Key interactive features include:

    • Landing Page Features: Exit setup, mark setup complete (available after finishing all tasks), start phases, track status, jump to specific tasks, and switch between phases.
    • In-Phase Controls: Navigate back to the landing page, toggle phases, jump between activities within a phase, mark tasks complete, and skip activities.

    Practical Use for ServiceNow Customers

    Customers setting up Discovery for the first time can use this Guided Setup to:

    • Save and resume configuration progress by naming setups.
    • Access embedded help and documentation links directly within tasks.
    • Efficiently complete required Discovery configuration steps in a logical sequence.
    • Transition easily to the newer ITOM Configuration Console when ready for faster and automated configuration.

    ITOM Discovery Guided Setup provides a sequence of tasks that help you install and get started with Discovery. If you're setting up Discovery for the first time, this is a good way to get your environment up and running quickly.

    To access the ITOM Discovery Guided Setup, navigate to All > ITOM Guided Setup > ITOM Discovery Guided Setup. You're then prompted to enter a configuration name, which enables your progress to be saved and resumed later. If you're returning to the setup, select Cancel followed by Exit in the confirmation dialog to view the list of in-progress setup configurations.

    The ITOM Discovery Guided Setup leads you through a structured series of configuration activities to promote accurate visibility in the Configuration Management Database (CMDB) and establish a strong foundation for IT operations.

    Phases

    The setup is organized into the four distinct phases: Learn, Crawl, Walk, and Run. Each task within a phase includes built-in resources, such as contextual embedded help and links to detailed documentation on the ServiceNow product documentation site. In some cases, you can even complete the task directly within the guided setup.

    Learn
    The Learn phase is the first step in the guided setup. This phase helps you develop a foundational understanding of Discovery by exploring its core principles, learning about various techniques, and identifying the prerequisites needed to proceed with the setup.
    Crawl
    This phase walks you through the initial technical setup of Discovery, including installing the necessary plug-ins, configuring credentials, and preparing your instance for scheduling discoveries.
    Walk
    In this phase, you configure and activate Discovery schedules by setting up various schedule types, adding credentials, and installing and validating your MID Servers.
    Run
    This phase focuses on monitoring and optimizing ongoing Discovery operations, leveraging tools like Discovery Admin Workspace and Content 360 to track performance and promote continued success.

    Key features

    The ITOM Discovery Guided Setup provides step-by-step configuration support along with intuitive navigation to track progress and move smoothly through each phase.
    Figure 1. Guided Setup landing page features
    Navigational features available on the landing page
    Table 1. Interactive features within the landing page
    Feature Description
    1. Exit Exit the Guided Setup.
    Note:
    Selecting Exit in the confirmation dialog takes you back to the list of setup configurations currently in progress.
    2. Complete

    Mark the Guided Setup complete.

    Note:
    This option is only available once you have completed all the tasks in each phase of the setup.
    3. Start Launch the Guided Setup phase.
    4. Status Track your progress of the Guided Setup phase.
    5. Task Jump to specific activities within a phase.
    6. Phase drop-down View and access tasks within another phase.
    Figure 2. Guided Setup in-phase features
    Navigational features available in a phase
    Table 2. Interactive features within each phase
    Feature Description
    1. Back arrow Return to the Guided Setup landing page.
    2. Phase drop-down Toggle between different phases.
    3. Activities Jump to other activities within the current phase.
    4. Close Navigate back to the Guided Setup landing page.
    5. Mark Complete Track your progress and continue to the next activity in the phase.
    6. Skip Skip directly to the next activity in the phase.