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

  • Release version: Yokohama
  • Updated January 30, 2025
  • 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 v2 APIs

    ServiceNow customers can leverage version 2 of the IBM License Metric Tool (ILMT) and BigFix Inventory integration APIs to connect IBM servers to the ServiceNow AI Platform. This integration enables importing and tracking of IBM software usage data, including full capacity and sub-capacity Processor Value Unit (PVU), Resource Value Unit (RVU), and Virtual Processor Core (VPC) licensing. With this setup, customers can optimize license management and maintain accurate software asset compliance.

    Show full answer Show less

    Prerequisites

    • Install and configure ILMT or BigFix Inventory on a physical host or virtual machine (VM), ensuring all required Configuration Item (CI) data (such as serial numbers, names, and IP addresses) is accurate for CMDB record creation.
    • Use ILMT version 9.2.24 or later; earlier versions (9.2.23 or below) support usage data import only for discovered software products, not hosts.
    • Configure IBM ILMT agents to scan hosts and VMs in compliance with IBM usage measurement guidelines.
    • Enable discovery of physical and virtual host configurations and their relationships through ILMT or BigFix Inventory.
    • Classify and bundle IBM components into products within ILMT or BigFix Inventory.
    • Request and install the IBM License Compliance for Software Asset Management application from the ServiceNow Store to enable the integration.
    • Set the Software Asset Management property Connect to ILMT using (snsampibmlic.ilmtapiversion) to use the v2 API.

    Key Features

    • Establish multiple IBM server connections using HTTP or HTTPS, receiving a server connection alias for setup.
    • Automatic retrieval of peak IBM software usage data aggregated over a defined period (up to 90 days) upon successful connection.
    • Use of a default transform map to process imported data into ServiceNow tables for consistent data handling.
    • View peak usage metrics (PVU, RVU, VPC) for IBM software products both overall and by individual physical hosts or VMs.
    • Access a comprehensive list of devices running IBM software products for detailed inventory and license tracking.

    Practical Benefits

    This integration empowers ServiceNow customers to maintain accurate and up-to-date IBM license usage data, enabling better license optimization and compliance management. By tracking both full capacity and sub-capacity usage across physical and virtual environments, organizations can optimize license costs and reduce audit risks. The integration also simplifies the visibility into IBM software deployments, making it easier to manage assets efficiently 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.