Network Discovery and Inventory together with a CMDB: The Perfect Match!
Understanding the Purpose and Benefits of Integrating Network Discovery Tools and a CMDB
Managing IT infrastructure efficiently requires accurate, up-to-date information about the entire network. Two essential tools for this purpose are Network Discovery and Network Inventory solutions, such as JDisc Discovery, and Configuration Management Database (CMDB). Each plays a crucial role in IT asset management, but together, they form an unbeatable team for maintaining an accurate IT inventory.
What is a Network Discovery or Network Inventory Solution?
A so called Network Discovery or Network Inventory tool scans the network to identify all connected devices, their hardware and software configurations, and interrelationships between them. JDisc Discovery, for instance, offers an agentless approach to gathering this data in detail, ensuring IT teams have a clear picture of their environment in real-time.
What is a CMDB?
A CMDB serves as a central repository that stores configuration items (CIs), representing IT assets, their relationships, and dependencies. The primary function of a CMDB is to support IT service management by offering a structured and controlled inventory of an organization’s IT assets.
Why Do Network Discovery Solutions and CMDBs Work So Well Together?
While both tools have distinct purposes, combining network discovery tools and a Configuration Management Database creates a powerful synergy. Here’s why:
- Network Discovery Tools Provide Real-Time Data:
IT environments change dynamically, with new devices being added, configurations being updated, and software evolving. A network inventory solution like JDisc Discovery keeps track of these changes, ensuring data accuracy. - CMDB Maintains Structured IT Records
While network inventory solutions capture live configurations, a configuration management database keeps historical data and supports IT service management frameworks like ITIL. - Automated Data Sync Prevents Stale Information
Manually maintaining a CMDB is error-prone and time-consuming. Automating data updates with network discovery tools ensures accurate and up-to-date information.
How Network Discovery Solutions Like JDisc Discovery and CMDBs Work Together
The integration of a network discovery solution like JDisc Discovery with a configuration management database unlocks new levels of efficiency. Here’s how:
- Network Inventory Tools Scan the IT Environment
JDisc Discovery collects details on hardware and software configurations. - Updating CIs in the CMDB
After a successful scan, the collected data is used to update the CIs in the configuration management database. - Automated Synchronization
Instead of manually updating CI records, an automated sync compares current network data with existing CMDB records, flagging discrepancies and ensuring that the database stays accurate.
The image below describes the architecture and the data flow.
The network discovery crawls the network, connects to its devices and populates its database with current data. Finally, when the scan is complete, it can compare its data with the current configuration management database state or even directly import the data into the configuration management database. Engineers of different disciplines finally work with the CMDB and can be sure that they are not working with outdated or wrong information. Typically the users work for:
- IT Asset Management (ITAM)
- SAM (Software Asset Management/Licensing)
- IT Service Management (ITSM)
- Helpdesk
- and others…
Key Benefits of Integration
- Avoids Manual Errors
Users might forget to update records manually, but an automated integration keeps the configuration management database aligned with real-world changes. - Tracks Software Updates Automatically
Many software applications and operating systems update automatically, making manual configuration management database updates difficult. A network discovery tool ensures that the configuration management database always contains current data.
Main Use Cases for Network Inventory and Configuration Management Database Integration
- Initial CMDB Population
- When starting with a new congiruation management database, manually entering all CIs is overwhelming.
- An network inventory tool like JDisc Discovery automates data collection, eliminating the need for manual entry and reducing errors.
- Ongoing Configuration Management Database Verification and Updates
- Keeping the CMDB in sync with the actual network state is essential.
- Regular scans detect discrepancies between the configuration management database and real-world data, ensuring that changes are logged and assets remain accounted for.
How Does the Integration Work?
Most CMDBs and network discovery tools provide APIs that enable seamless integration. JDisc Discovery offers a powerful GraphQL API, making it easy to pull fresh data into a CMDB.
To map the scanned information from the discovery tool to the corresponding CIs in the CMDB, most CMDBs offer flexible mapping procedures. Typically, users can select an attribute like a serial number or even a combination of different properties (such as MAC address, hostname, or IP address) to find the correct CI. This mapping process ensures that new or updated assets in the network discovery tool are correctly associated with their corresponding records in the CMDB, preventing duplicate entries and maintaining data integrity.
For more details on the JDisc Discovery GraphQL API, check out our in-depth blog post: JDisc Discovery GraphQL API.
Out-of-the-Box Integrations
Many CMDB vendors offer ready-to-use integrations with JDisc Discovery and other network discovery solutions. This eliminates the need for custom development and allows IT teams to implement automated asset tracking quickly and efficiently. We have a list of strategic partners that we work with on combined solutions integrating our products.
So far, we have integrations with:
i-doit is a well-known CMDB that is available as an open-source solution and a commercial variant. Together with our partner Synetics we offer an integrated solution consisting of i-doit and JDisc Discovery.
EcholoN is a holistic Service Management solution, which supports you in the areas of incident, problem, change, and configuration management based on ITIL best practices.
it-novum is a provider of robust, enterprise-grade open-source solutions. IT novum is also a strong consulting and integration partner. Especially for enterprise-level customers.
Objectgears Configuration Database (CMDB) contains tens of mutually connected entities distributed to several logical layers.
The configuration management process is to identify, record and control configuration items including their versions, properties, and relations.
AixBOMS is a solution for the administration of IT infrastructures, data centers, and services that enables automation and planning of workflows and processes.
4me offers a complete service management platform!
Conclusion
The combination of network discovery and network inventory solutions like JDisc Discovery and configuration management databases are a game-changer for IT asset management. While network discovery provides real-time, detailed data, a configuration management database structures and maintains that information for IT service management. Together, they form a powerful duo that ensures accuracy, reduces manual effort, and optimizes IT operations.
Organizations looking to improve their CMDB accuracy and IT visibility should consider integrating their network inventory tool, leveraging out-of-the-box integrations and APIs like JDisc Discovery’s GraphQL API for seamless automation.
