Application Administration
Update Sets
An Update Set is a group of customizations that can be moved from one instance of servicenow to another
Update sets allow administrators to group a series of changes into a named set and thenmoved them as a unit
Every instance of ServiceNow has a default update set, but users can create additional named sets
An Update Set example:
• A set of enhancements to Incident Management can be grouped in an Update Set called Incident Management 2.0.
• While Incident Management 2.0 is marked as the current Update Set, all process changes are tracked in it.
• Once the Update Set is marked as complete, it is ready to be moved to a test or production instance.
Basically an Update Set record is a "point in time" XML snapshot of process records. An Update Set works by writing changes from tracked tables to the Customer Update [sys_update_xml] table.
An Update Set is used to apply changes that have been checked and verified in another instance. When merging multiple Update Sets, if several Update Sets have modified the same object, (for example: the Incident form), the most recent change will be the one moved to the new, merged Update Set.
An Update Set is a container for configuration records. By navigating to System Update Sets > Local Update Sets, you can create a new Update Set or set an existing one as your current Update Set. Use an Update Set to migrate your code. When an Update Set is completed, you can transfer it to another instance to move customizations from development, through testing, and into production.
What is Captured in an Update Set?
Process Records (yes)
- Business Rules
- Client Scripts
- Fields
- Forms and Form Sections
- " Reports"
- Tables
- Views
- Roles
- " Published Workflows"
Data (no)
- New Data Records
- Modified Data Records
- Tasks
- Modified Cls
- New Users and Groups
- Schedules
- Scheduled Jobs
- Homepages*
What is captured in an Update Set is typically a customization, or a change made to tables.
Homepages are not captured in an Update Set but can be manually added by navigating to
Homepage Admin > Pages
, right-clicking on a homepage record, then selecting Unload Portal Page.
NOTE: Data is not captured in an Update Set. Examples: a new incident or new change record would not be in an Update Set.
When completing work, you may want to move data records with your updates. These records can be useful for testing or training. Data (such as user records, Cls, or locations) can be moved using the Export XML function.
Comparing Objects
Changes are tracked and you can customize objects on a table with the update_synch attribute, including:
- Table
- Forms
- Fields
- Business Rules
- Client Scripts
- Views
Revert Compared Versions
You can compare versions before reverting a change
You can only revert back to the most recent base version
Merge Update Sets
Update Sets can be merged
If two users are working on separate Update Sets they can be combined into one Update Set for easy transfer
You can compare a version to the current version for any customizable object that a user has modified, such as a form layout or Business rule.
The Update Versions [sys_update_version] table supports this feature.
NOTE: Administrators can suppress versions for specific tables.
To revert changes:
- View a list of versions for an object.
- Right-click a version and select Revert to this version.
- Click OK to confirm the action.
The selected version becomes the current version.
If both Update Sets have an update for the same object (for example, both Update Sets modify the Incident form), the most recent change will be the one moved to the new merged Update Set. The other update will be left in its original Update Set. Once a merge is performed, the other Update Sets remain, and if there were collisions, the duplicates remain where they were.
Best Practices
Manage Changes and Communicate Effectively
- Have a plan & identify a common migration path
- Know what is being developed & make sure the Administrators are aware of developments
Include many changes in one set
- Not: "Many changes, many sets"
- Group like items in a small manageable set
NOTE: Newest change will always overwrite older changes.