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Discovery Source and Data Sources

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In this lesson, you will learn:

  • What the Discovery source field shows
  • Common data sources
  • Why sources matter before Discovery starts

🔁 Quick look back: Last time: Identification Rules. You learned how identification rules and their entries work.

1 The Problem: You Can’t Tell Who Wrote the Data

Hana finds a wrong OS version on a server. She asks: ‘Who wrote this?’ Today:

  • Some data came from the spreadsheet.
  • Some was typed by agents.
  • Nobody can tell which.

🎯 The problem: You can’t tell who wrote the data on a CI.

👉 The fix: Use the Discovery source field and source records to see who reported each CI.

Cards for three data sources at SNWR.
Figure 1. The data sources that write to SNWR’s server CIs.

2 The Discovery source field

Key term: Discovery source

A field on each CI showing which source created or last reported it, such as ServiceNow for Discovery.

Key term: Data source

Any tool or import that writes CI data, such as Discovery, a connector or a spreadsheet import.

IRE can also keep a record of each source that reported a CI. This helps when two sources disagree.

3 Why it matters

  • You can trace wrong data to its source.
  • You can set which source wins for each field.
  • You can spot old sources that should be switched off.

4 Project Clear View: How We Implemented It

📍 Situation: Hana couldn’t tell where wrong data came from.

🧭 Decision: List every source writing to server CIs, and decide each one’s future.

🛠️ Steps we took:

  1. Checked the Discovery source field on server CIs.
  2. Found the spreadsheet import still active.
  3. Listed the fields people edit by hand: owner and support group.
  4. Agreed to switch the import off before the pilot.

✅ What we verified:

  • All sources are known.
  • The import is scheduled to be switched off.

📁 Evidence: The sources section of the CMDB readiness report.

5 Quick recap

  • The Discovery source field shows who reported a CI.
  • Sources include Discovery, connectors, imports and people.
  • Knowing the source helps you fix wrong data.
  • Switch off old sources that would fight Discovery.

6 Check yourself

Think of your answer first. Then tap to check.

1 What does the Discovery source field show? Show answer

Which source created or last reported the CI.

2 Why switch off SNWR’s spreadsheet import? Show answer

It would keep writing old data over what Discovery finds.

3 Which fields do people keep at SNWR? Show answer

Owner and support group.

Nice work! You know who writes to SNWR’s CIs. 🎉
Next up: Reconciliation and Data Source Precedence

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