The most likely cause is that the CI is classified under a different CI class in the CMDB. This happens because ServiceNow’s Identification and Reconciliation Engine (IRE) matches incoming discovery data against existing CIs using identification rules tied to a specific CI class. When the CI’s class in the CMDB differs from what the discovery payload expects—for example, the Linux server is stored as a “Windows Server” class—the IRE either fails to reconcile the record or routes the update to a different table, leaving the original CI unchanged. On the CSA exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how the IRE uses class-based identification rules to prevent misclassification, a common trap where candidates assume network reachability or credentials are the issue. Remember: discovery updates the class, not just the record; if the class is wrong, the update goes elsewhere. A useful memory tip is “Class mismatch, update dismissed.”
SNOW-CSA Database Administration and CMDB Practice Question
This SNOW-CSA practice question tests your understanding of database administration and cmdb. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A ServiceNow administrator notices that a CI record in the CMDB is not being updated by a scheduled discovery job. The CI is a Linux server that is reachable on the network. Which is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The CI is classified under a different CI class in the CMDB.
When a CI is classified under a different CI class in the CMDB, the scheduled discovery job may not update it because discovery uses the IRE to match incoming data against existing CIs based on identification rules. If the CI's class differs from what the discovery payload expects, the IRE may fail to reconcile the record, or the update may be directed to a different class table, leaving the original CI unchanged. This is a common cause of apparent update failures when the CI is reachable and the discovery source is correctly configured.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
The discovery source is not configured for this IP range.
Why it's wrong here
This is a possible cause but not the most likely if the CI exists and discovery is running.
✗
The Identification and Reconciliation Engine (IRE) is disabled.
Why it's wrong here
IRE is not required for discovery to update existing CIs.
✗
The cmdb_ci table ACL is set to private.
Why it's wrong here
ACLs do not prevent discovery from updating CIs.
✓
The CI is classified under a different CI class in the CMDB.
Why this is correct
If the CI is misclassified, discovery may update a different record or create a duplicate.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume a reachable CI with a configured discovery source guarantees updates, overlooking how the IRE's class-specific identification rules can prevent reconciliation when the CI class in the CMDB does not match the discovery payload.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The IRE uses identification rules defined per CI class to match incoming discovery payloads to existing CIs. If a CI was originally created under class 'cmdb_ci_linux_server' but discovery expects 'cmdb_ci_server', the IRE may not find a match, resulting in a duplicate or no update. This is often seen when CI classes are reclassified manually or via import sets without updating the discovery identification rules.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A security administrator must allow nursing staff to reach a patient records server while blocking access from the guest Wi-Fi VLAN. After applying an extended ACL, traffic is still blocked from nursing workstations. The ACL was applied outbound instead of inbound on the wrong interface. Questions like this test ACL direction and placement rules.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Database Administration and CMDB — This question tests Database Administration and CMDB — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The CI is classified under a different CI class in the CMDB. — When a CI is classified under a different CI class in the CMDB, the scheduled discovery job may not update it because discovery uses the IRE to match incoming data against existing CIs based on identification rules. If the CI's class differs from what the discovery payload expects, the IRE may fail to reconcile the record, or the update may be directed to a different class table, leaving the original CI unchanged. This is a common cause of apparent update failures when the CI is reachable and the discovery source is correctly configured.
What should I do if I get this SNOW-CSA question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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