CIS-SM practice question 4 of 25

Which one of the following best describes the process that Service Mapping uses to run a command on a target device?

Answer options

A: Service Mapping provides a task with the command that the MID Server collects, the MID Server executes the command on the target device, and returns the result to the ServiceNow instance in an XML payload. Correct answer

B: The MID Server decides what command to execute, executes the command on the target device, and returns the result to the ServiceNow instance in an XML payload.

C: Service Mapping sends a request to the target device to execute a command, and the target device returns the result to the ServiceNow instance through the MID Server.

D: Service Mapping sends a request to the target device to execute a command, and the target device returns the result to the ServiceNow instance.

Correct Answer:

A. Service Mapping provides a task with the command that the MID Server collects, the MID Server executes the command on the target device, and returns the result to the ServiceNow instance in an XML payload.

Explanation

The ServiceNow instance, where the Service Mapping application resides, initiates the discovery process. It creates a task containing the specific command to be executed and places it in the External Communication Channel (ECC) Queue. A MID Server, located within the target device's network, polls the instance for these tasks. Upon collecting a task, the MID Server executes the specified command against the target device. After execution, the MID Server gathers the output, formats it into an XML or JSON payload, and sends it back to the ServiceNow instance for processing by the appropriate sensors or pattern steps.

Why Incorrect

B. The MID Server does not decide which command to execute. It is an agent that executes commands and follows the logic defined by probes and patterns residing on the ServiceNow instance.
C. Service Mapping does not send requests directly to the target device. All communication with devices inside a private network is brokered by the MID Server to cross the firewall securely.
D. This option is incorrect as it completely omits the essential role of the MID Server, which facilitates all communication between the ServiceNow instance and the target devices.

References

1. ServiceNow Product Documentation - MID Server: "The MID Server receives probes and commands from the ServiceNow instance and sends the results back to the instance for processing. The instance determines which MID Server to use based on the configured MID Server capabilities and IP ranges." This confirms the instance sends commands and the MID Server executes them. (Refer to the "MID Server" overview section in the ServiceNow Product Documentation for the relevant release).

2. ServiceNow Product Documentation - Discovery process: "The instance sends a probe, which is a record in the ECC Queue table, to the MID Server. The MID Server is constantly querying the instance for work to do and executes the probe when it finds it. The MID Server receives the results from the device and sends them back to the instance for the sensor to process." (Refer to the "Discovery and MID Server probes and sensors" section in the ServiceNow Product Documentation).

3. ServiceNow Product Documentation - How Discovery Works: The documentation details the flow: "1. Discovery is initiated... 2. The instance generates a probe record in the ECC Queue... 3. The MID Server polls the instance for work... 4. The MID Server executes the probe... 5. The MID Server returns the results... to the ECC Queue." This explicitly contradicts option B's claim that the MID Server "decides" the command and options C and D's direct communication model. (Refer to the "How Discovery works" section in the ServiceNow Product Documentation).

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