SNOW-CSA Database Administration and CMDB Practice Question
A ServiceNow administrator notices that the CMDB contains duplicate CI records for the same server. The duplicates were created by different discovery sources. Which TWO actions should the administrator take to resolve this issue and prevent future duplicates? (Choose two.)
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse the 'Remove Duplicate CIs' scheduled job (which deletes duplicates automatically) with the 'Reconcile' operation (which merges them manually), leading to the misconception that automatic deletion is a safe and complete solution when it can cause data loss.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use the 'Reconcile' operation in the CMDB Workspace to manually merge the duplicates.
The 'Reconcile' operation in the CMDB Workspace allows an administrator to manually review and merge duplicate CI records, which is necessary when duplicates are created by different discovery sources and automatic rules cannot resolve the conflict. This action directly resolves the existing duplicate records by consolidating them into a single authoritative CI.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Use the 'Reconcile' operation in the CMDB Workspace to manually merge the duplicates.
Why this is correct
The Reconcile operation allows administrators to manually merge duplicate CI records, resolving the immediate issue.
- ✗
Run the 'Remove Duplicate CIs' scheduled job with the 'Delete' flag enabled.
Why it's wrong here
There is no standard 'Remove Duplicate CIs' job; automatic deletion is risky and not best practice.
- ✗
Set the 'Identification Engine' to automatically merge duplicate CIs based on serial number.
Why it's wrong here
The Identification Engine uses rules to reconcile, but does not have an auto-merge setting. This option is not specific enough.
- ✗
Update the discovery source rules to exclude the duplicate server from future discovery.
Why it's wrong here
This only stops further data from that source but does not resolve existing duplicates.
- ✓
Configure the CI Class Manager to require a unique combination of serial number and model ID.
Why this is correct
Setting unique fields in CI Class Manager enforces uniqueness, preventing future duplicates.
Visual reference
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every SNOW-CSA question from scratch — 504 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This SNOW-CSA practice question is part of Courseiva's free ServiceNow certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the SNOW-CSA exam.