Integrating with the IBM License Metric Tool (ILMT) or BigFix Inventory using v1 APIs

  • Release version: Xanadu
  • Updated August 1, 2024
  • 2 minutes to read
    • Summarize
    Summarized using AI
    This content was generated using new OpenAI-powered functionality. Results are provided on an as is basis and are not guaranteed to be accurate or complete.

    Summary of Integrating with the IBM License Metric Tool (ILMT) or BigFix Inventory using v1 APIs

    This integration allows ServiceNow customers to connect IBM servers to the ServiceNow AI Platform using version 1 of the IBM License Metric Tool (ILMT) and BigFix Inventory APIs. By establishing this connection, customers can import software installation data into their ServiceNow instance to effectively track and optimize full capacity and sub-capacity processor value unit (PVU) and resource value unit (RVU) licensing for IBM software products.

    Show full answer Show less

    Important: Although version 1 APIs are deprecated by IBM, the Software Asset Management application continues to support integrations using these APIs. However, new integrations should use version 2 APIs for improved support and functionality.

    Key Features

    • Connect one or more IBM servers to ServiceNow AI Platform using HTTP or HTTPS.
    • Automatically retrieve historical software installation data, including product details, components, editions, hosts, virtual machines, and license usage.
    • License usage data is based on product use, not component use, providing accurate license tracking.
    • Activation of the Software Asset Management Professional for IBM plugin provides an IBM Server connection alias to facilitate server connections.
    • Transform maps process imported data into ServiceNow tables for seamless integration with the Configuration Management Database (CMDB).

    Prerequisites

    • Install and run ILMT version 9.2.7 or later, or BigFix Inventory, on a physical host or virtual machine.
    • Ensure all configuration item (CI) data in ILMT is accurately configured, including serial numbers, names, and IP addresses, to enable correct CMDB record creation.
    • Configure IBM ILMT agents to scan physical hosts and VMs according to IBM usage measurement guidelines.
    • Enable ILMT or BigFix Inventory to discover configurations and relationships between physical hosts and VMs.
    • Classify and bundle IBM components into IBM products within ILMT or BigFix Inventory.
    • Set the Software Asset Management property snsampibmlic.ilmtapiversion to use version 1 APIs for the connection.

    Practical Implications for ServiceNow Customers

    By leveraging this integration, customers can gain precise visibility into IBM software license consumption, enabling optimized license management and compliance. The solution supports automated data import and processing, reducing manual effort and improving data accuracy in the CMDB. However, customers setting up new integrations are encouraged to use version 2 APIs to benefit from ongoing support and enhancements.

    You can use version 1 of the IBM License Metric Tool (ILMT) and BigFix Inventory integration APIs to create a connection between your IBM servers and the ServiceNow AI Platform.

    This connection enables you to import software installation data into your ServiceNow instance so that you can track and optimize full capacity and sub-capacity processor value unit (PVU) and resource value unit (RVU) licensing for your IBM software products.

    Important:
    Version 1 of the ILMT and BigFix Inventory integration APIs have been deprecated by IBM. However, the Software Asset Management application continues to support integrations that are using this version of the APIs. If you are setting up an ILMT or BigFix Inventory integration for the first time, use version 2 of the APIs instead. For more information on setting up the integration using version 2 of the APIs, see Integrating with the IBM License Metric Tool (ILMT) or BigFix Inventory using v2 APIs. For more information on the deprecation of these APIs, see Deprecated REST APIs.

    Integration between ILMT and ServiceNow.

    The ILMT and BigFix Inventory integration enables you to create connections between one or more IBM servers and the ServiceNow AI Platform using HTTP or HTTPS. Upon activating the Software Asset Management Professional for IBM (com.sn_samp_ibm) plugin, you receive an IBM Server connection alias that you can then use to set up your IBM server connections. If a connection is successful, the Software Asset Management application retrieves historical software installation data within the aggregated period that you defined in ILMT or BigFix Inventory. This data includes products, components, editions, hosts, virtual machines, and license usage.
    Note:
    License usage is based on product use and not component use.

    Prerequisites

    To track your IBM full capacity and sub-capacity PVU and RVU licenses using this integration, you must complete the following prerequisites:
    • Install, set up, and run ILMT or BigFix Inventory on a physical host or virtual machine (VM).
      Important:
      When you are setting up ILMT, ensure that all required configuration item (CI) data, including serial numbers, names, and IP addresses, is configured correctly so that your ServiceNow instance can accurately create corresponding CI records in the Configuration Management Database (CMDB). Refer to KB0691430 for more details.
    • Install ILMT version 9.2.7 or later.
    • Configure your IBM ILMT agents to scan your physical hosts or VMs in compliance with IBM usage measurement guidelines.
      Note:
      Refer to Measuring License Use for more information on IBM usage measurement guidelines.
    • Enable ILMT or BigFix Inventory to discover the configurations of both physical hosts and VMs as well as the relationships between them.
    • Classify and bundle IBM components into IBM products through ILMT or BigFix Inventory.
    • Set the Connect to ILMT using (sn_samp_ibm_lic.ilmt_api_version) Software Asset Management property to v1 API's. For more details on this property, see Software Asset Management properties.