TSOM Visibility
Summarize
Summary of TSOM Visibility
TSOM Visibility is a ServiceNow solution tailored for telecommunications service providers (CSPs) to enhance the discovery, reconciliation, and management of telecom infrastructure and services. Built on ITOM Visibility’s foundational frameworks, it introduces telecom-specific applications such as Telecom Discovery and Telecom Discrepancy Identification & Reconciliation, designed to support the unique hierarchy and resource structures of telecom data models. It integrates capabilities for discovering network resources across multi-vendor, multi-technology networks, IT, and cloud environments, enabling an accurate and up-to-date Configuration Management Database (CMDB) and Telecom Network Inventory (TNI).
Show less
Key Features
- Telecom Discovery: Utilizes Horizontal Discovery and Telecommunications Discovery Patterns to automatically scan and identify telecom network components using SNMP and CLI protocols. It discovers standalone xNFs and supports discovery via northbound APIs of EMS/NMS/Controllers using Service Graph Connectors (SGCs).
- Service Graph Connectors (SGCs): Predefined integrations that ingest network resource data from third-party management systems into the CMDB. TSOM includes specific SGC plugins like the snsgcaltiplanoconnector for Nokia Altiplano.
- Telecommunications Discovery Patterns: Patterns designed for SNMP-based discovery of telecom devices, including custom patterns for Cisco and Juniper devices.
- TSOM Visibility Plugin: Core plugin containing telecom-specific logic for discrepancy identification and reconciliation across TSOM applications.
- CMDB 360: Tracks discovery source histories and attribute-level updates in the CMDB, enabling analysis, rollback, and custom reporting to maintain data integrity.
- Discovery Admin Workspace: Centralized interface for managing discovery tasks, schedules, diagnostics, and tuning to streamline discovery operations.
Who Uses TSOM Visibility
Telecom operators and CSPs use TSOM Visibility to maintain accurate network resource inventories within the ServiceNow CMDB and TNI. These are strategic tools essential for order fulfillment, asset management, assurance, and enabling Autonomous Network Operations (ANO) through real-time decision-making, automation, and closed-loop processes.
Installation and Configuration Considerations
TSOM Visibility requires the CMDB CI Class Models store application at Version 1.69.0, which updates identification rules for telecom configuration items such as Interface Cards, Slots, Subslots, and Network Interfaces. Installing TSOM Visibility applications automatically updates this module. Administrators should validate any custom Identification Rule Engine (IRE) rules after upgrading to avoid potential issues.
Licensing
Use of TSOM Visibility applications is licensed through the ServiceNow AI Platform. Organizations must subscribe to TSOM to utilize Telecom Discovery, Discrepancy Identification & Reconciliation, and the core TSOM Visibility plugin. Pricing and packaging details are governed by the organization’s specific customer contract.
Telecom Discrepancy Identification and Reconciliation
This functionality ensures that the CMDB and TNI accurately reflect the current network state, maintaining synchronization with planned or designed inventories for reliable telecom operations.
The TSOM Visibility solution is built on the foundational principles of ITOM Visibility, leveraging its proven frameworks for discovering and mapping IT resources.
In addition to the core ITOM Visibility functionalities, TSOM Visibility introduces a unique telecom-specific layer with tailored applications. These include Telecom Discovery, which leverages the Horizontal Discovery and Telecommunications Discovery Patterns application, Service Graph Connectors (SGC), and Telecom Discrepancy Identification & Reconciliation, which incorporates telecom-specific logic introduced by the TSOM Visibility plugin. All components are designed to support the unique hierarchy and resource structures of the telecom data model. This combination enhances the discovery, reconciliation, and management of telecom infrastructure and services across complex multi-vendor, multi-technology networks, IT, and cloud environments.
TSOM: Architecture and Telecom Applications
TSOM Visibility: Telecom Discovery and Discrepancy Identification and Reconciliation
Horizontal Discovery and Telecommunications Discovery Patterns
Horizontal Discovery is an automated process that continuously scans and identifies all the components within the network infrastructure. It plays a crucial role in maintaining an accurate and up-to-date CMDB and TNI with the information in the network.
In Telecom Discovery, we use Horizontal Discovery and Telecommunication (TSOM) Discovery Patterns (sn_tsom_patterns) to discover standalone xNFs using SNMP and CLI protocols.
For more information on the TSOM Patterns, see Telecom Discovery using Telecommunications Discovery Patterns.
For more information on the Horizontal Discovery application, see Horizontal discovery process flow with patterns.
Service Graph Connectors (SGC)
The Service Graph Connectors (SGC) are predefined integrations that ingest data into the Configuration Management Database (CMDB) from third-party sources. They can be used alongside any existing Service Graph Connectors, such as those for security, servers, software, monitoring, internet of Things (IoT), and cloud.
In Telecom Discovery, we use Service Graph Connectors to discover network resources via northbound APIs of EMS/NMS/Controllers, which manage various xNFs.
For more information on the Telecom SGSs, see Telecom Discovery using Service Graph Connectors (SGC).
TSOM Visibility Applications
- Service Graph Connectors (TSOM SGCs) –These new plugins enable the discovery of data from existing network management systems (for example, EMS/NMS/Controllers).
-
- Plugin name: sn_sgc_altiplano_connector
- Plugin description: Service Graph Connector for Nokia Altiplano
- Telecommunications Discovery Patterns (TSOM Patterns) – These new plugins include patterns for the discovery of standard SNMP-based standalone xNFs (for example, telecom routers/switches without a management system or those intended to be discovered directly by bypassing their management systems). They also include custom patterns for verifying specific Cisco and Juniper devices by leveraging their SNMP and CLI accessibility.
-
- Plugin name: sn_tsom_patterns
- Plugin description: Telecommunication Discovery Patterns
See Telecom Discovery using Telecommunications Discovery Patterns.
- TSOM Visibility (plugin) – This plugin is an enabler of the TSOM Visibility applications. It contains logic that is common across our Telecom Discovery and Telecom Discrepancy Identification & Reconciliation solution. It includes telecom-specific discrepancy identification and remediation logic, along with other common logic that we are building or will build for use across the application.
-
- Plugin name: sn_tsom_core
- Plugin description: TSOM Visibility (plugin)
CMDB 360
CMDB 360 retains a complete history of discovery sources and proposed values involved in updates to CI attributes. Use CMDB 360 data to track how the CMDB is populated by various discovery sources at the CI attribute level. You can also revert CI updates from a specific discovery source or recompute attribute values using updated reconciliation rules.
The CMDB 360 view provides aggregations and analyses of CMDB 360 data, which can be used to track activities and identify potential issues with discovery sources. Additionally, you can create custom queries, schedules, and reports to explore CMDB data.
For more information on CMDB 360, see CMDB 360/Multisource CMDB.
Discovery Admin Workspace
The Discovery Admin Workspace serves as a central location for monitoring, tracking, and completing discovery-related tasks. Experience a streamlined discovery process and greater efficiency with the integration of schedules, diagnostics, tuning, and more within this single workspace.
For more information on the Discovery Admin Workspace, see Discovery Admin Workspace.
Who uses TSOM Visibility
TSOM Visibility enables telecom operators and communication service providers (CSP) and providing platform as a service to discover their network resources.
The ServiceNow® Configuration Management Database (CMDB) and Telecom Network Inventory (TNI) aren’t operational tools. They’re strategic necessities in today’s IT and telecom landscape. Maintaining an accurate and complete CMDB/TNI provides the foundation for delivering critical services and drives multiple outcomes important to telecom operations, such as order/service fulfillment, inventory/asset management, and assurance. Having an up-to-date CMDB/Network Inventory is crucial for enabling high levels of Autonomous Network Operations (ANO) and essential for real-time decision-making, automation, and closed-loop operations.
TSOM Visibility Installation Disclaimer
- Interface Cards
- Slots
- Subslots
- Network Interfaces
TSOM Visibility requires CMDB CI Class Models Version 1.69.0 (sn_cmdb_ci_class).
IMPORTANT! If an administrator deploys CMDB CI Class Models Version 1.69.0—whether or not TSOM Visibility is installed—any customized IRE identification rules applied to one or more of the above-mentioned telecom CIs may be affected. These rules will require careful validation to ensure proper functionality.
TSOM Visibility Licensing
The ServiceNow AI Platform uses a licensing model in which your organization is billed for the use of TSOM Visibility applications. Telecom Discovery, Telecom Discrepancy Identification & Reconciliation and TSOM Visibility (plugin) are components of TSOM Visibility. To use TSOM Visibility, your organization must subscribe to TSOM.