Integrating with the IBM License Metric Tool (ILMT) or BigFix Inventory using v2 APIs

  • Release version: Xanadu
  • Updated August 1, 2024
  • 2 minutes to read
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    Summary of Integrating with the IBM License Metric Tool (ILMT) or BigFix Inventory using v2 APIs

    This integration allows ServiceNow customers to connect IBM servers with the ServiceNow AI Platform using version 2 of the IBM License Metric Tool (ILMT) and BigFix Inventory APIs. It enables importing IBM software usage data into ServiceNow to effectively track and optimize licensing for Processor Value Units (PVU), Resource Value Units (RVU), and Virtual Processor Cores (VPC) for IBM software products.

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    Prerequisites

    • Install and run ILMT (version 9.2.24 or later) or BigFix Inventory on a physical host or virtual machine.
    • Ensure complete and accurate configuration item (CI) data (serial numbers, names, IP addresses) in ILMT to allow correct CI record creation in ServiceNow’s CMDB.
    • Configure IBM ILMT agents to scan hosts and VMs in compliance with IBM usage measurement guidelines.
    • Enable ILMT or BigFix Inventory to discover both physical and virtual host configurations and their relationships.
    • Classify and bundle IBM components into products within ILMT or BigFix Inventory.
    • Install the IBM License Compliance for Software Asset Management application from the ServiceNow Store.
    • Set the ServiceNow Software Asset Management property snsampibmlic.ilmtapiversion to use the v2 APIs.

    Key Features

    • Creates one or more IBM server connections to the ServiceNow AI Platform via HTTP/HTTPS.
    • Retrieves peak IBM software usage data aggregated over defined periods (up to 90 days) directly into ServiceNow.
    • Processes imported data through a default transform map to integrate it into ServiceNow tables for license management.
    • Allows viewing of peak full capacity and sub-capacity PVU, RVU, and VPC usage by device (physical hosts or VMs).
    • Provides visibility into all devices running IBM software products to support accurate license tracking.

    Benefits for ServiceNow Customers

    By leveraging this integration, customers gain accurate, automated insights into IBM software license usage, enabling better management of complex licensing models. It helps optimize software spend and compliance by providing detailed usage data and device visibility within the ServiceNow platform.

    You can use version 2 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 usage 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 as well as sub-capacity virtual processor core (VPC) licensing for your IBM software products.

    See REST API resources and HTTP methods for more information on the ILMT and BigFix Inventory integration 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. When you initiate the integration, you receive an IBM Server connection alias that you can use to set up your IBM server connections. If a connection is successful, the Software Asset Management application retrieves peak usage data within the aggregated period that you defined in ILMT or BigFix Inventory.

    Prerequisites

    To track your IBM full capacity and sub-capacity PVU, RVU, and VPC 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 9.2.24 or later.
      Note:
      If you are using ILMT version 9.2.23 or earlier, you can import usage data only against your discovered IBM software products and not against the hosts that are running those products.
    • 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.
    • Request and install the IBM License Compliance for Software Asset Management application from the ServiceNow® Store. See Request the IBM License Compliance for Software Asset Management application for IBM License Metric Tool (ILMT) and BigFix Inventory integrations for detailed instructions.
    • Set the Connect to ILMT using (sn_samp_ibm_lic.ilmt_api_version) Software Asset Management property to v2 API's. For more details on this property, see Software Asset Management properties.