1. Service Now
Domain Separation
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2.  Agenda
◦ What is Domain Separation?
◦ Domain Hierarchy
◦ Record Segregation
◦ Process Flow
◦ Data Flow
◦ Best Practices
◦ Requirements for use
◦ Important Information
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3.  Allows multiple organizations to share one instance leveraging global
properties and global processes across the entire instance
◦ Allows each organization to segregate data within the single instance
 Mainly used by Managed Service providers (MSPs) to host smaller
customers
◦ Lowers the cost of using ServiceNow
◦ Centralizes instance administration
◦ Accommodates instance upgrades
 Technical Information
◦ Domain Separation is the implementation of domains within a single ServiceNow instance
◦ A domain is a unique qualifier used within a single instance to separate data and processes
while still sharing global properties and global processes across the entire instance
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What is Domain Separation?

4.  Parent and child
relationships are
created by the
domain hierarchy
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Domain Hierarchy

5.  1 ServiceNow Instance (1 Database, 1 Schema)
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Record Segregation
Instance

6. © 2015 Contender Solutions - Confidential & Proprietary
Process Flow

7. © 2015 Contender Solutions - Confidential & Proprietary
Data Flow

8. © 2015 Contender Solutions - Confidential & Proprietary
Best Practices
 If the table is a base instance table do not change its domain status.
◦ Exception to user created tables. These tables will need to be domain separated due to them
usually being data tables.
 Just because a table has the sys_domain field does not mean its records
should be domain separated.
◦ Example: All workflows should be developed as global using conditions to determine when
workflows should execute.
 For better performance client scripts should be used as little as possible.
◦ Display Business rules should be used where possible
 Limit synchronous calls as much as possible
◦ Better: GlideRecord and getRefrence should be used with a callback option
◦ Best: Replace GlideRecord and getRefrence with GlideAjax calls to return less data

9. © 2015 Contender Solutions - Confidential & Proprietary
Best Practices
 Always use ServiceNow coding standards
◦ Never overwrite base instance process, override it where needed
 The sys_overrides field indicates that a policy, application, or module at a lower level in the hierarchy
overrides a record at a higher level
 Once a child domain overrides a parent process the new child process runs for itself and all of its child
domains
◦ Do not overwrite base instance classes, extend them when needed
 You cannot override and set Active = False
◦ The system will ignore the override because it is inactive
◦ To override and deactivate:
 Set a condition of false or sys_id | is | empty
 Tables that extend from a domain separated table will not have the
sys_domain on them, the base table sys_domain field value is used
◦ Exception: Inbound Actions are extended from a domain separated table but cannot be
domain separated

10. © 2015 Contender Solutions - Confidential & Proprietary
Best Practices
 Always update choice lists in DEV in the global domain
◦ If you change a choice state in PROD and then capture an update in DEV, all choice states in
PROD will be overwritten
 When troubleshooting lists consider there are multiple views
◦ Personal
◦ Global
◦ Domain specific
 When troubleshooting forms consider there are multiple views
◦ Global
◦ Domain specific
 When creating applications and tables consider if a sys_domain field is
needed for separation

11. © 2015 Contender Solutions - Confidential & Proprietary
Requirements For Use

12. © 2015 Contender Solutions - Confidential & Proprietary
When Not To Use

13.  An existing instance can become domain-separated technically but is NOT
recommended. You should start with a new instance.
 A domain-separated instance has a control for converting data back to a
non-domain-separated instance however this is NOT recommended. You
should start with a new instance.
 The Domain Separation plugin must be activated through a ServiceNow
Technical Support request
© 2015 Contender Solutions - Confidential & Proprietary
Important information

14. Contender Solutions is a ServiceNow partner, providing expert services in the ServiceNow
platform space. If you’re looking to stand up ServiceNow for the first time, upgrade to the
latest version, or add functionality to an existing instance, we can help.
Data Storage
Built around our core competencies, we take a strong approach to federal enterprise
architecture services by addressing all aspects of your IT needs. Our delivery process can
help guide you in a system’s correct implementation and our certified professionals can
create effective solutions for a full spectrum of federal enterprise architecture needs.
Consulting Services
Our industry experts will help you secure and optimize the most strategic component to
success, your people. We begin our partnership by seeking to understand your business
targets, hardware and software needs and the gaps between your current and future state.
We then develop a game plan with our Subject Matter Experts to close those gaps with the
right people, skills and a solution.
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Who We Are

15. Contact Us
1511 N. Westshore Blvd., Suite 220
Tampa, Florida 33607
813.642.3837
info@contendersolutions.com
www.contendersolutions.com
© 2015 Contender Solutions - Confidential & Proprietary