Configuration item actual states

By default, Service Manager only stores and displays the expected or managed state of CIs. The information Service Manager displays in the Configuration Management form is essentially the definitive list of attributes that the CI should have. However, the actual state of the CI may differ from the expected state.

To view the actual state of the CI, you must first create an integration to an Universal CMDB server. The Universal CMDB server periodically discovers the actual state of CIs and records the actual state in the Configuration Management database. Service Manager accesses the actual state information by using a Web services connection. Service Manager sends the CI ID to the Universal CMDB server and receives a full list of the attributes for that CI. Service Manager displays the CI attributes in the Actual State section of the Configuration Management form.

If a Service Manager CI does not have a matching CI in the Universal CMDB server, then Service Manager does not display the Actual State section. For example, you may track office furnishing CIs in Service Manager that cannot be discovered and tracked in the Universal CMDB.

View the actual state of a configuration item

Applies to User roles: Configuration Manager

Configuration Administrator

Configuration Auditor

This procedure requires that your Service Manager system has an active integration to an Universal CMDB server.

To view the actual state of a configuration item, follow these steps:

  1. Click Configuration Management > Resources > Search CIs.

  2. Use search or advanced search to find one or more records.
  3. Select the CI with the actual state you want to see.
  4. From the CI detail form, open the Actual State section. Service Manager displays the actual state of the CI, as well as its UCMDB Id value.

    Note The Actual State section is only visible if your system has an active integration to an Universal CMDB server and the CI has a matching entry in the Configuration Management database. Service Manager does not display the Actual State section if there is no matching CI in the Universal CMDB server.