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.
In the CMDB, what is the purpose of the 'cmdb_ci' table?
It stores the discovery schedule and probes.
Why wrong: Discovery schedules are in the discovery schedule table.
It is the base table for all hardware and software CI classes.
cmdb_ci is the parent table for all CI classes.
It contains the CMDB health rules.
Why wrong: Health rules are in the cmdb_health table.
It stores relationships between configuration items.
Why wrong: Relationships are in the cmdb_rel_ci table.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
It is the base table for all hardware and software CI classes.
The 'cmdb_ci' table is the base (or parent) table for all hardware and software Configuration Item (CI) classes in the ServiceNow CMDB. It defines common fields such as name, serial number, and operational status, which are inherited by all child CI tables (e.g., cmdb_ci_server, cmdb_ci_software_product). This design follows a single-table inheritance model, ensuring consistency across all CI types.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
It stores the discovery schedule and probes.
Why it's wrong here
Discovery schedules are in the discovery schedule table.
It is the base table for all hardware and software CI classes.
Why this is correct
cmdb_ci is the parent table for all CI classes.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
It contains the CMDB health rules.
Why it's wrong here
Health rules are in the cmdb_health table.
It stores relationships between configuration items.
Why it's wrong here
Relationships are in the cmdb_rel_ci table.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the 'cmdb_ci' base table with the 'cmdb_rel_ci' relationship table, assuming that the base table stores relationships rather than being the parent for all CI classes.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, 'cmdb_ci' uses ServiceNow's table inheritance mechanism where child tables extend the base table via the 'extends' attribute in the dictionary. This allows queries on 'cmdb_ci' to return all CIs regardless of subtype, which is critical for reporting and CMDB health dashboards. A real-world scenario: when a vulnerability scan identifies a server by its IP, the lookup against 'cmdb_ci' returns the correct CI record even if the server's specific class is 'cmdb_ci_linux_server'.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the SNOW-CSA exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Database Administration and CMDB — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Database Administration and CMDB practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All SNOW-CSA questions
510 questions across all exam domains
ServiceNow Certified System Administrator CSA study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
SNOW-CSA practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise SNOW-CSA questions linked to Reporting, SLA and Imports.
Practise SNOW-CSA questions linked to Self-Service and Automation.
Practise SNOW-CSA questions linked to UI, Navigation and Forms.
Practise SNOW-CSA questions linked to Database Administration and CMDB.
Practise SNOW-CSA questions linked to Service Catalog and Workflows.
Practise SNOW-CSA questions linked to Application Rules, ACL and Notifications.
Practise SNOW-CSA questions linked to SNOW-CSA fundamentals.
Practise SNOW-CSA questions linked to SNOW-CSA scenario.
Practise SNOW-CSA questions linked to SNOW-CSA troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Database Administration and CMDB — This question tests Database Administration and CMDB — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: It is the base table for all hardware and software CI classes. — The 'cmdb_ci' table is the base (or parent) table for all hardware and software Configuration Item (CI) classes in the ServiceNow CMDB. It defines common fields such as name, serial number, and operational status, which are inherited by all child CI tables (e.g., cmdb_ci_server, cmdb_ci_software_product). This design follows a single-table inheritance model, ensuring consistency across all CI types.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.