SNOW-CSA Database Administration and CMDB Practice Question
Which TWO attributes are essential for identifying configuration items in the CMDB to ensure uniqueness? (Choose exactly 2.)
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to confuse 'uniqueness' with 'common usage' and select IP address or name because they are frequently used in daily operations, but the exam specifically tests the understanding that MAC addresses and serial numbers are hardware-level, immutable identifiers that guarantee uniqueness across the entire CMDB.
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
✓
MAC address
(MAC address) is correct because a MAC address is a globally unique hardware identifier assigned to network interfaces by the manufacturer, making it a reliable and immutable attribute for uniquely identifying configuration items (CIs) such as servers, switches, and workstations in the CMDB. In ServiceNow, the MAC address is often used as a deduplication key to prevent duplicate CIs, especially when discovered via network probes or agents. Its uniqueness is guaranteed at the hardware level, unlike attributes that can be changed or reassigned.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
MAC address
Why this is correct
Network interface MAC addresses are globally unique.
- ✗
Asset tag
Why it's wrong here
Asset tags may not be assigned to all CIs, e.g., software.
- ✗
Name
Why it's wrong here
Name may not be unique; could be hostname, often not unique.
- ✓
Serial number
Why this is correct
Typically unique per device.
- ✗
IP address
Why it's wrong here
IP addresses can change or be shared (NAT).
Quick reference
Access Control Model Comparison
| Model | Acronym | Who Controls Access? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discretionary Access Control | DAC | Resource owner | Small teams, file shares |
| Mandatory Access Control | MAC | System / security labels | Classified govt / military |
| Role-Based Access Control | RBAC | Administrator (via roles) | Enterprise environments |
| Attribute-Based Access Control | ABAC | Policy engine (user + resource attributes) | Fine-grained, dynamic policies |
| Rule-Based Access Control | RuBAC | System rules / ACLs | Firewall rules, network ACLs |
Go deeper
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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.