---
sourceDocument: Yokohama IT Operations Management
sourceDocumentLink: https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/r/yokohama/it-operations-management

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    - yokohama

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Yokohama IT Operations Management

ft:clusterId :

    - itom

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    - itom

workflow :

    - Technology


---

# Storage discovery via a host

# Discovery data collected for storage via a host {#ariaid-title1}

* Release version: Yokohama
* 
* Updated January 30, 2025
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 5 minutes to read

Summarize  
![AI sparkle icon](https://servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ai-sparkle-icon) 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 Discovery data collected for storage via a host

This documentation details how ServiceNow Discovery collects and maps information about storage units connected to Linux, Solaris, and Windows hosts via local I/O ports or Host Bus Adapters (HBAs).
It covers the probes used, the types of storage components discovered, and the relationships between storage CIs (Configuration Items) in the CMDB.
Show full answer Show less  

## Storage Discovery Probes and Supported Platforms

* Discovery uses specialized probes to identify various storage components such as disks, disk partitions, Fibre Channel (FC) disks, FC ports, file systems, iSCSI disks, NAS file systems, storage HBAs, storage pools, and VMware vCenter datastores.
* Probes support multiple operating systems including Linux, Solaris, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2012, KVM environments, and VMware vCenter.

## Mapping Storage References

Discovery maps relationships between storage components to reflect how storage connects to hosts, including:

* Associating storage devices to computers (hosts).
* Linking disks to their partitions and HBAs to their corresponding FC ports.
* Connecting storage volumes to their providers such as storage pools or storage devices.
* Defining membership and containment hierarchies within storage pools.

## HBA Data Collection Across Platforms

Discovery collects detailed HBA information specific to each server OS:

* **Linux and VMware ESX:** Captures HBA attributes like name, WWNN (World Wide Node Name), model ID, and associated computer. For Fibre Channel ports, it collects WWPN (World Wide Port Name), WWNN, port type, speed, controller, and computer associations.
* **Solaris:** Supports HBAs from Emulex and QLogic vendors, collecting fields such as device ID, manufacturer, model ID, serial number, and operational status for HBAs, FC ports, FC disks, and FC targets.
* **Windows:** Supports HBAs on any Windows operating system version, gathering similar HBA and Fibre Channel port details as Linux and Solaris platforms.

## Practical Value for ServiceNow Customers

By leveraging these discovery capabilities, customers can achieve accurate and comprehensive visibility into the storage infrastructure connected to their hosts. This enables:

* Enhanced CMDB accuracy with detailed storage and HBA configuration items.
* Clear understanding of storage relationships and dependencies between hosts and storage devices.
* Improved asset management and operational decision-making based on complete storage topology.
* Support for multiple operating systems and virtualization platforms ensures broad discovery coverage.  
Discovery gathers information about storage units that connect to Linux, Solaris, and
Windows hosts via a local I/O port or Host Bus Adapter (HBA).

## Probes used to discover storage from a host

{#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__table_r51_k4m_ns__entry__2}

| Table | Probes |
|-|-|
| Disk \[cmdb_ci_disk\] | * KVM * Linux - Storage * Solaris - Storage * Windows - Storage 2008 * Windows - Storage 2012 {#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__ul_vjt_j4h_ys} |
| Disk Partition \[cmdb_ci_disk_partition\] | * KVM * Linux - Storage * Solaris - Storage * Windows - Storage 2008 * Windows - Storage 2012 {#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__ul_dkt_j4h_ys} |
| Fibre Channel Disk \[cmdb_ci_fc_disk\] | * Linux - Storage * Solaris - Storage * Windows - Storage 2008 {#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__ul_lkt_j4h_ys} |
| Fibre Channel Port \[cmdb_ci_fc_port\] | * Linux - Storage * Solaris - Storage * Windows - Storage 2008 {#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__ul_rkt_j4h_ys} |
| File System \[cmdb_ci_file_system\] | * KVM * Linux - Storage * Solaris - Storage * Windows - Storage 2008 * Windows - Storage 2012 {#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__ul_ykt_j4h_ys} |
| iSCSI Disk \[cmdb_ci_iscsi_disk\] | * KVM * Linux - Storage * Solaris - Storage * Windows - Storage 2008 * Windows - Storage 2012 {#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__ul_glt_j4h_ys} |
| NAS File System \[cmdb_ci_nas_file_system\] | * KVM * Linux - Storage * Solaris - Storage * Windows - Storage 2008 * Windows - Storage 2012 {#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__ul_olt_j4h_ys} |
| Storage HBA \[cmdb_ci_storage_hba\] | * Linux - Storage * Solaris - Storage * Windows - Storage 2008 {#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__ul_xlt_j4h_ys} |
| Storage Pool \[cmdb_ci_storage_pool\] | Linux - Storage |
| Storage Pool Member \[cmdb_ci_storage_pool_member\] | Linux - Storage |
| VMware vCenter Datastore \[cmdb_ci_vcenter_datastore\] | VMware - vCenter Datastores |
[ ]

{#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__table_r51_k4m_ns}

## Storage references discovered {#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__section_gjb_4zz_mcb}

Discovery maps these references for storage units that connect to a host via a local I/O port or Host Bus Adapter (HBA).{#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__table_npx_nnm_ns__entry__3}

| Table and column | Reference | Target data element |
|-|-|-|
| cmdb_ci_storage_device.computer | refers to the | cmdb_ci_computer |
| cmdb_ci_storage_device.provided_by | refers to the | cmdb_ci_fc_port (for FC only) |
| cmdb_ci_disk_partition.disk | is a partition of | cmdb_ci_disk |
| cmdb_ci_storage_hba.computer | is the | cmdb_ci_computer |
| cmdb_ci_fc_port.controller | contains the | cmdb_ci_storage_hba |
| cmdb_ci_fc_port.computer | is the same | cmdb_ci_computer as cmdb_ci_storage_hba.computer |
| cmdb_ci_storage_volume.computer | is the | cmdb_ci_computer |
| cmdb_ci_storage_volume.provided_by | is the | cmdb_ci_storage_pool or cmdb_ci_storage_pool or cmdb_ci_storage_device (providing storage) |
| cmdb_ci_storage_pool.hosted_by | is the | cmdb_ci_computer |
| cmdb_ci_computer | the pool is on | cmdb_ci_storage_pool.container |
| cmdb_ci_storage_pool.container | is the | cmdb_ci_storage_pool or cmdb_ci_storage_pool_member containing the pool (if the pool is present) |
| cmdb_ci_storage_pool_member.pool | is the | cmdb_ci_storage_pool |
| cmdb_ci_storge_pool_member.storage | is the | cmdb_ci_storage_pool, cmdb_ci_disk_partition or cmdb_ci_storage_device providing storage |
[ ]

{#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__table_npx_nnm_ns}

## Data collected for HBAs on Linux and ESX servers {#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__section_y2h_wzz_mcb}

Discovery collects information on host bus adapters (HBA) for fiber channel enabled devices connected to Linux and ESX servers.{#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__table_bvr_2ys_lp__entry__4}

| Label | Table | Field name | Source |
|-|-|-|-|
| Name | Storage HBA \[cmdb_ci_storage_hba\] | name | * VMWare - vCenter ESX Hosts Storage probe * Linux - Storage {#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__ul_p3x_nr2_gs} |
| WWNN | Storage HBA \[cmdb_ci_storage_hba\] | wwnn | * VMWare - vCenter ESX Hosts Storage probe * Linux - Storage {#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__ul_h4c_4r2_gs} |
| Model ID | Storage HBA \[cmdb_ci_storage_hba\] | model_id | * VMWare - vCenter ESX Hosts Storage probe * Linux - Storage {#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__ul_t2h_4r2_gs} |
| Computer | Storage HBA \[cmdb_ci_storage_hba\] | computer | * VMWare - vCenter ESX Hosts Storage probe * Linux - Storage {#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__ul_ucm_4r2_gs} |
[Table 1. HBA tables and fields]

{#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__table_bvr_2ys_lp}  
{#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__table_tzj_3xd_gs__entry__4}

| Label | Table | Field name | Source |
|-|-|-|-|
| WWPN | Fibre Channel Port \[cmdb_ci_fc_port\] | wwpn | VMWare - vCenter ESX Hosts Storage * probe * Linux - Storage {#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__ul_qhy_2r2_gs} |
| WWNN | Fibre Channel Port \[cmdb_ci_fc_port\] | wwnn | * VMWare - vCenter ESX Hosts Storage probe * Linux - Storage {#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__ul_x53_hr2_gs} |
| Port type | Fibre Channel Port \[cmdb_ci_fc_port\] | port_type | * VMWare - vCenter ESX Hosts Storage probe * Linux - Storage {#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__ul_y24_hr2_gs} |
| Speed | Fibre Channel Port \[cmdb_ci_fc_port\] | speed | * VMWare - vCenter ESX Hosts Storage probe * Linux - Storage {#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__ul_ytv_hr2_gs} |
| Controller | Fibre Channel Port \[cmdb_ci_fc_port\] | controller | * VMWare - vCenter ESX Hosts Storage probe * Linux - Storage {#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__ul_nvb_3r2_gs} |
| Computer | Fibre Channel Port \[cmdb_ci_fc_port\] | computer | * VMWare - vCenter ESX Hosts Storage probe * Linux - Storage {#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__ul_l4h_3r2_gs} |
[Table 2. Fibre Channel ports]

{#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__table_tzj_3xd_gs}  
{#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__table_fxj_p5s_nt__entry__4}

| Label | Table | Field name | Source |
|-|-|-|-|
| FC Disk | Fibre Channel Targets \[cmdb_fc_target\] | fc_disk | * Linux - Storage * Solaris - Storage * Windows - Storage 2008 * Windows - Storage 2012 {#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__ul_ezs_3xs_nt} |
| Created by | Fibre Channel Targets \[cmdb_fc_target\] | sys_created_by | * Linux - Storage * Solaris - Storage * Windows - Storage 2008 * Windows - Storage 2012 {#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__ul_s5f_nxs_nt} |
| Created | Fibre Channel Targets \[cmdb_fc_target\] | sys_created_on | * Linux - Storage * Solaris - Storage * Windows - Storage 2008 * Windows - Storage 2012 {#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__ul_nc3_nxs_nt} |
| SysID | Fibre Channel Targets \[cmdb_fc_target\] | sys_id | * Linux - Storage * Solaris - Storage * Windows - Storage 2008 * Windows - Storage 2012 {#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__ul_ank_nxs_nt} |
| Updates | Fibre Channel Targets \[cmdb_fc_target\] | sys_mod_count | * Linux - Storage * Solaris - Storage * Windows - Storage 2008 * Windows - Storage 2012 {#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__ul_oh4_nxs_nt} |
| Updated by | Fibre Channel Targets \[cmdb_fc_target\] | sys_updated_by | * Linux - Storage * Solaris - Storage * Windows - Storage 2008 * Windows - Storage 2012 {#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__ul_rrq_nxs_nt} |
| Updated | Fibre Channel Targets \[cmdb_fc_target\] | sys_updated_on | * Linux - Storage * Solaris - Storage * Windows - Storage 2008 * Windows - Storage 2012 {#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__ul_d1t_nxs_nt} |
| WWNN | Fibre Channel Targets \[cmdb_fc_target\] | wwnn | * Linux - Storage * Solaris - Storage * Windows - Storage 2008 * Windows - Storage 2012 {#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__ul_urw_nxs_nt} |
| WWPN | Fibre Channel Targets \[cmdb_fc_target\] | wwpn | * Linux - Storage * Solaris - Storage * Windows - Storage 2008 * Windows - Storage 2012 {#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__ul_q3z_nxs_nt} |
[Table 3. Fibre Channel targets]

{#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__table_fxj_p5s_nt}

## Data collected for HBAs on Solaris servers {#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__section_znb_411_ncb}

Discovery on Solaris supports HBAs manufactured by:

* Emulex
* QLogic
{#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__ul_nph_1w1_dt}  
Discovery populates these fields in the Storage HBA \[cmdb_ci_storage_hba\] table, using the Solaris - Storage probe and sensor. {#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__table_fcy_fx4_ts__entry__2}

| Label | Field name |
|-|-|
| Name | name |
| Computer | computer |
| Device ID | device_id |
| Manufacturer | manufacturer |
| Model ID | model_id |
| Serial number | serial_number |
[ ]

{#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__table_fcy_fx4_ts}  
Discovery populates these fields in the Fibre Channel Port \[cmdb_ci_fc_port\] table.{#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__table_qnf_sz4_ts__entry__2}

| Label | Field name |
|-|-|
| Name | name |
| Computer | computer |
| Controller | controller |
| WWPN | wwpn |
| WWNN | wwnn |
| Port type | port_type |
| Speed | speed |
| Operational status | operational_status |
[ ]

{#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__table_qnf_sz4_ts}  
Discovery populates these fields in the Fibre Channel Disk \[cmdb_ci_fc_disk\] table.{#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__table_l1k_kbp_ts__entry__2}

| Label | Name |
|-|-|
| Name | name |
| Storage type | storage_type |
| Device interface | device_interface |
| Device LUN | device_lun |
[ ]

{#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__table_l1k_kbp_ts}  
Discovery populates these fields in the Fibre Channel Targets \[cmdb_fc_target\] table.{#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__table_phm_vcp_ts__entry__2}

| Label | Name |
|-|-|
| FC Disk | fc_disk |
| WWNN | wwnn |
| WWPN | wwpn |
[ ]

{#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__table_phm_vcp_ts}

## Data collected for HBAs on Windows servers {#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__section_jpr_kc1_ncb}

Discovery on Windows supports HBAs on any operating system.{#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__table_avr_2ys_lp__entry__4}

| Label | Table | Field Name | Source |
|-|-|-|-|
| Name | Storage HBA \[cmdb_ci_storage_hba\] | name | * VMWare - vCenter ESX Hosts Storage probe * Windows - Storage 2008 * Windows - Storage 2012 {#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__ul_p3y_nr2_gs} |
| WWNN | Storage HBA \[cmdb_ci_storage_hba\] | wwnn | * VMWare - vCenter ESX Hosts Storage probe * Windows - Storage 2008 * Windows - Storage 2012 {#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__ul_z4c_4r2_gs} |
| Model ID | Storage HBA \[cmdb_ci_storage_hba\] | model_id | * VMWare - vCenter ESX Hosts Storage probe * Windows - Storage 2008 * Windows - Storage 2012 {#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__ul_t2h_4r0_gs} |
| Computer | Storage HBA \[cmdb_ci_storage_hba\] | computer | * VMWare - vCenter ESX Hosts Storage probe * Windows - Storage 2008 * Windows - Storage 2012 {#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__ul_ucb_4r2_gs} |
[Table 4. HBA tables and fields]

{#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__table_avr_2ys_lp}  
{#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__table_tzo_3xd_gs__entry__4}

| Label | Table | Field Name | Source |
|-|-|-|-|
| WWPN | Fibre Channel Port \[cmdb_ci_fc_port\] | wwpn | * VMWare - vCenter ESX Hosts Storage probe * Windows - Storage 2008 * Windows - Storage 2012 {#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__9l_qhy_2r2_gs} |
| WWNN | Fibre Channel Port \[cmdb_ci_fc_port\] | wwnn | * VMWare - vCenter ESX Hosts Storage probe * Windows - Storage 2008 * Windows - Storage 2012 {#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__ul_x13_hr2_gs} |
| Port type | Fibre Channel Port \[cmdb_ci_fc_port\] | port_type | * VMWare - vCenter ESX Hosts Storage probe * Windows - Storage 2008 * Windows - Storage 2012 {#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__ul_y24_hb2_gs} |
| Speed | Fibre Channel Port \[cmdb_ci_fc_port\] | speed | * VMWare - vCenter ESX Hosts Storage probe * Windows - Storage 2008 * Windows - Storage 2012 {#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__ul_ztv_hr2_gs} |
| Controller | Fibre Channel Port \[cmdb_ci_fc_port\] | controller | * VMWare - vCenter ESX Hosts Storage probe * Windows - Storage 2008 * Windows - Storage 2012 {#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__ul_nvb_8r2_gs} |
| Computer | Fibre Channel Port \[cmdb_ci_fc_port\] | computer | * VMWare - vCenter ESX Hosts Storage probe * Windows - Storage 2008 * Windows - Storage 2012 {#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__ul_l3h_3r2_gs} |
[Table 5. Fibre Channel ports]

{#r_DataCollDiscoStorageViaHost__table_tzo_3xd_gs}