SNOW-CSA Database Administration and CMDB Practice Question
A system administrator receives a request to add a new field called 'Business Impact' to the 'cmdb_ci' table. Which method should be used to ensure the field is available to all CI classes?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to assume adding a field to a specific child class is sufficient for all CIs, overlooking the inheritance hierarchy and the base table's role in universal field availability.
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
✓
Add the field to the 'cmdb_ci' table directly
The 'cmdb_ci' table is the base table for all Configuration Items (CIs) in the CMDB. Adding a field directly to this table ensures it is inherited by all child CI classes (e.g., cmdb_ci_computer, cmdb_ci_server) through the table hierarchy. This is the standard method for making a field universally available across all CI types without creating redundant or inconsistent data structures.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Add the field to the 'cmdb_ci' table directly
Why this is correct
This adds the field to the base table and all its descendants.
- ✗
Add the field to a child class like 'cmdb_ci_computer'
Why it's wrong here
Only that child class and its subtasks would have the field, not all CIs.
- ✗
Use the 'Include Table' configuration to add the field
Why it's wrong here
Include table links records but does not add a field to the base table schema.
- ✗
Create a new extension table for the field
Why it's wrong here
An extension table creates a separate table, not a field on the base table.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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