In the ServiceNow Configuration Management Database (CMDB), the mechanism that enables the tracing of connections between different Configuration Items (CIs) is Relationships.
1. The Role of Relationships in CMDB:
The CMDB is not just a flat list of assets; its true power lies in its ability to map how different components interact. A Relationship defines the dependency or connection between two CIs. For example, a "Web Server" CI might run on a "Linux Server" CI, and an "Email Service" might depend on that "Web Server."
2. The cmdb_rel_ci Table:
Technically, these connections are stored in a specific table called the CI Relationship table (cmdb_rel_ci). This table acts as a bridge, storing three key pieces of information for every connection:
Parent: The upstream item (e.g., the Service or Application).
Child: The downstream item (e.g., the Server or Database).
Type: The nature of the connection (e.g., "Runs on," "Depends on," "Hosted on," "Members of").
3. Dependency Views:
While the Relationship is the underlying data enabler, ServiceNow visualizes these relationships using Dependency Views (formerly known as Business Service Management or BSM maps). Dependency Views use the relationship data to graphically display the infrastructure. By looking at a Dependency View for a Server, you can trace the lines (relationships) upward to see exactly which Business Services will be impacted if that Server goes down.
4. Why the other options are incorrect:
Transform Map: This is a component of the Import Set process. It is used to map source data (from a spreadsheet or XML) to target fields in a ServiceNow table during data import. It does not define infrastructure dependencies.
Automapping Utility: This is not a standard ServiceNow architectural term. While ServiceNow has a "Service Mapping" product that automates the discovery of relationships, "Automapping Utility" is not the specific feature name, nor is it the fundamental element that enables tracing.
Service Tracer: This is a fictitious term and does not exist in the ServiceNow platform.
[Reference:, According to ServiceNow Configuration Management documentation, the CMDB relies on the CI Relationship table to define how CIs are connected, allowing for impact analysis and service tracing., ]
