How is isVirtual field collected, set, and used?Issue <!-- /*NS Branding Styles*/ --> .ns-kb-css-body-editor-container { p { font-size: 12pt; font-family: Lato; color: var(--now-color--text-primary, #000000); } span { font-size: 12pt; font-family: Lato; color: var(--now-color--text-primary, #000000); } h2 { font-size: 24pt; font-family: Lato; color: var(--now-color--text-primary, black); } h3 { font-size: 18pt; font-family: Lato; color: var(--now-color--text-primary, black); } h4 { font-size: 14pt; font-family: Lato; color: var(--now-color--text-primary, black); } a { font-size: 12pt; font-family: Lato; color: var(--now-color--link-primary, #00718F); } a:hover { font-size: 12pt; color: var(--now-color--link-primary, #024F69); } a:target { font-size: 12pt; color: var(--now-color--link-primary, #032D42); } a:visited { font-size: 12pt; color: var(--now-color--link-primary, #00718f); } ul { font-size: 12pt; font-family: Lato; } li { font-size: 12pt; font-family: Lato; } img { display: ; max-width: ; width: ; height: ; } } isVirtual Field in ServiceNow Discovery "isVirtual" field may or may not be updated depending on the Discovery Source and Discovery Method. This KB explores how this field is collected, set, and is designed to be used for each of the Discovery Sources. Release<!-- /*NS Branding Styles*/ --> .ns-kb-css-body-editor-container { p { font-size: 12pt; font-family: Lato; color: var(--now-color--text-primary, #000000); } span { font-size: 12pt; font-family: Lato; color: var(--now-color--text-primary, #000000); } h2 { font-size: 24pt; font-family: Lato; color: var(--now-color--text-primary, black); } h3 { font-size: 18pt; font-family: Lato; color: var(--now-color--text-primary, black); } h4 { font-size: 14pt; font-family: Lato; color: var(--now-color--text-primary, black); } a { font-size: 12pt; font-family: Lato; color: var(--now-color--link-primary, #00718F); } a:hover { font-size: 12pt; color: var(--now-color--link-primary, #024F69); } a:target { font-size: 12pt; color: var(--now-color--link-primary, #032D42); } a:visited { font-size: 12pt; color: var(--now-color--link-primary, #00718f); } ul { font-size: 12pt; font-family: Lato; } li { font-size: 12pt; font-family: Lato; } img { display: ; max-width: ; width: ; height: ; } } ALL Resolution<!-- /*NS Branding Styles*/ --> .ns-kb-css-body-editor-container { p { font-size: 12pt; font-family: Lato; color: var(--now-color--text-primary, #000000); } span { font-size: 12pt; font-family: Lato; color: var(--now-color--text-primary, #000000); } h2 { font-size: 24pt; font-family: Lato; color: var(--now-color--text-primary, black); } h3 { font-size: 18pt; font-family: Lato; color: var(--now-color--text-primary, black); } h4 { font-size: 14pt; font-family: Lato; color: var(--now-color--text-primary, black); } a { font-size: 12pt; font-family: Lato; color: var(--now-color--link-primary, #00718F); } a:hover { font-size: 12pt; color: var(--now-color--link-primary, #024F69); } a:target { font-size: 12pt; color: var(--now-color--link-primary, #032D42); } a:visited { font-size: 12pt; color: var(--now-color--link-primary, #00718f); } ul { font-size: 12pt; font-family: Lato; } li { font-size: 12pt; font-family: Lato; } img { display: ; max-width: ; width: ; height: ; } } Table of Contents 1. Field Overview2. Collection and Population by Discovery Method 2.1 OnPrem Discovery (KB0748509)2.2 KVA - Kubernetes Virtual Appliance (KB3065340)2.3 SG-AWS - ServiceGraph for AWS (KB3065545)2.4 Cloud Discovery2.5 SCCM Integration (KB0994480) 3. Known Issues and Limitations 3.1 KB2831004: Linux Server Discovery - Red Hat Virtualization3.2 KB2906158: Windows Server Discovery - oVirt/RHV Virtualization 4. Best Practices and Recommendations 1. Field Overview The isVirtual field is a boolean attribute on CI (Configuration Item) classes that indicates whether a compute resource (server, host, workstation) is virtualized or bare metal. This field is critical for accurate IT asset classification, license compliance, and infrastructure planning. AttributeDetailsField NameisVirtualData TypeBoolean (true/false)Applicable CI ClassesComputer, cmdb_ci_server, cmdb_ci_linux_server, cmdb_ci_windows_serverPrimary UsageLicense compliance, capacity planning, cost allocationRequired FieldNo (discovery method dependent)Default ValueNot set (null) unless discovered or manually configured 2. Collection and Population by Discovery Method 2.1 OnPrem Discovery (KB0748509) Collection Method: OnPrem Discovery probes Windows and Unix/Linux servers through credential-based access. The isVirtual field is populated by analyzing hypervisor detection signatures and system properties. Population Logic: The discovery process identifies virtualization indicators such as: BIOS manufacturers (VMware, Hyper-V, KVM, Xen)System DMI information indicating virtual machinePresence of virtualization drivers and services When these indicators are detected, isVirtual is set to true. Absence of indicators does not guarantee false; manual verification may be required for accurate classification in complex environments. 2.2 KVA - Kubernetes Virtual Appliance (KB3065340) Collection Method: KVA provides container and Kubernetes CI discovery. The isVirtual field behavior in KVA differs from traditional server discovery. Population Logic: For Kubernetes discovered nodes: Container hosts/nodes are typically marked as virtual when running on hypervisorsBare metal Kubernetes nodes may or may not populate isVirtual depending on KVA configurationPod-level CIs do not have an isVirtual attribute 2.3 SG-AWS - ServiceGraph for AWS (KB3065545) Collection Method: SG-AWS connects to AWS APIs and discovers EC2 instances, ECS containers, and supporting infrastructure. Population Logic: The isVirtual field is set based on AWS resource type: EC2 instances: Always set to true (EC2 instances are virtual machines)ECS tasks/containers: isVirtual may not be applicableBare metal EC2 instances (rare): Typically marked as virtual in ServiceNow, as EC2 itself is AWS managed infrastructure 2.4 Cloud Discovery Collection Method: Cloud Discovery is the modern replacement for OnPrem Discovery, supporting both cloud-native and hybrid environments. Current Limitation: Cloud Discovery does not currently collect or populate the isVirtual attribute on Computer CIs. This is a known gap and should not be confused with the absence of virtualization; it reflects incomplete attribute discovery in the current implementation. Workaround: For environments using Cloud Discovery exclusively, manual population of isVirtual or custom scripts may be necessary for licensing and compliance purposes. 2.5 SCCM Integration (KB0994480) Collection Method: SCCM (System Center Configuration Manager) integration imports Windows device inventory from SCCM sources. Population Logic: isVirtual is populated from SCCM attributes: SCCM reports on Hyper-V or VMware VM enrollment statusWin32_ComputerSystemProduct identifies virtual machine presenceManual SCCM inventory can supply virtualization data if populated by admins 3. Known Issues and Limitations 3.1 KB2831004: Linux Server Discovery - Red Hat Virtualization Issue: When running Linux Server pattern discovery against Red Hat Virtualized (RHV) servers, the isVirtual field is not set to true in the cmdb_ci_linux_server record, even though the server is clearly running as a virtual machine. Root Cause: The Linux Server probe does not query RHV-specific hypervisor signatures or may lack proper credential affinity to detect RHV virtualization indicators. Impact: License compliance reporting is inaccurate; subscription licensing for Linux may incorrectly assign costs to virtual instances. Resolution: Manual correction or custom probe enhancement to detect RHV signatures; see KB2831004 for detailed workaround. 3.2 KB2906158: Windows Server Discovery - oVirt/RHV Virtualization Issue: Windows Servers discovered through oVirt or Red Hat Virtualization (RHV) are not correctly marked with isVirtual=true in the cmdb_ci_windows_server record. Root Cause: The Windows discovery pattern may not query for RHV/oVirt BIOS manufacturers or hypervisor detection signatures, resulting in false classification. Impact: License compliance for Windows Server subscriptions is incorrect, potentially leading to under-licensing or over-licensing charges. Resolution: Apply the patch referenced in KB2906158 or manually update affected CIs; custom discovery rules may be required for organizations with significant RHV deployments. 4. Best Practices and Recommendations Validate isVirtual Population: Run discovery validation reports post-discovery to identify CIs with missing or inconsistent isVirtual values. Audit Discovery Methods: In hybrid environments, ensure the correct discovery method is assigned to each CI class and hypervisor platform. Manual Remediation: For known gaps (Cloud Discovery, RHV), consider a scheduled manual update or custom discovery workflow. License Compliance Reporting: Build reports that segment CIs by isVirtual status to ensure accurate subscription and perpetual license allocation. Monitor Patch Releases: Stay current with KB articles for isVirtual improvements, especially in emerging virtualization platforms. Disclaimer: This KB is a Work in Progress and may not have the complete picture. Please leave feedback if you wish for more information or have specific information you want included.