---
sourceDocument: Australia IT Operations Management
sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/it-operations-management

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    - australia

ft:locale :

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ft:publication_title :

    - Australia IT Operations Management

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---

# Discovery classification parameters

# Discovery classification parameters {#ariaid-title1}

Release version: Australia  
Updated November 1, 2026  
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## Summary of Discovery classification parameters

Discovery classification parameters are used in ServiceNow Discovery to accurately identify and classify various types of configuration items (CIs) across different operating systems and device types.
These parameters help define characteristics for UNIX, Windows, SNMP-managed devices, and running processes, enabling precise classification during the discovery process.
Show full answer Show less  

## UNIX Parameters

* **output:** Raw probe output (e.g., uname -a) for UNIX systems.
* **type:** Returns "UNIX" as the classification.
* **ipaddress:** IP address of the discovered device.
* **name:** Operating system name (e.g., Linux, HP-UX).

## Windows Parameters

* **isNode:** Indicates if the instance is a node.
* **type:** Returns "windows" as the classification.
* **isVIP:** Indicates if the CI is a virtual machine with a virtual IP.
* **ipaddress:** IP address of the device.
* **name:** Windows version name.
* **cidata.name:** Hostname of the Windows OS.

## SNMP Parameters

These parameters classify network devices like routers, switches, printers, UPS, and servers based on SNMP data:

* **powering:** True if the device is an uninterruptible power supply (UPS).
* **hosting:** True if the device can host programs (e.g., servers).
* **netware:** True if running Netware OS.
* **routing:** True if the device has routing capabilities.
* **ipaddress:** IP address used for discovery (devices may have multiple IPs).
* **sysdescr:** Descriptive field with OS and version info, critical for classification.
* **vlans:** True if device supports virtual LANs.
* **hintrouter:** True if Discovery identifies the device as a router (for devices that can act as both router and switch).
* **blockrouterexploration:** If true, Discovery skips exploration probes on detected routers (network Discovery only).
* **switching:** True if device has switching capabilities.
* **mfrapc:** True if the UPS is manufactured by APC.
* **printing:** True if the device has printing capabilities.
* **blockswitchexploration:** If true, Discovery skips exploration probes on detected switches (network Discovery only).

## Process Parameters

These parameters help identify running processes on devices, aiding classification of services like LDAP, Apache, and JBoss:

* **parameter:** Parameters used to run the process.
* **command:** Command line used to start the process.
* **output:** Output from the process probe.
* **type:** Process type (e.g., unix or windows).
* **PID:** Process ID assigned by the OS; generally unreliable for classification as it changes, except for stable appliances.
* **name:** Process name; may be unreliable due to common names across multiple processes (e.g., Windows svchost.exe).

## Important Note

Condition filters in process classifiers are case-sensitive, so exact casing must be used when configuring classification rules.  
These parameters are available for Discovery classifiers.
Note:  
Condition filters in process classifiers are case-sensitive.

## Unix parameters {#classification-parameters__section_dhv_lpd_fcb}

The UNIX parameters define the characteristics of several types of computers, such as Linux, Solaris, and HP-UX, communicating with SSH protocol, version 2.  
{#classification-parameters__table_kky_2qx_5p__entry__2}

| Parameter | Description |
|-|-|
| output | The raw output of the classifier probe (uname -a). |
| type | Returns the classification UNIX. |
| IP address | Returns the IP address of the device being discovered. |
| name | Name of the operating system for this UNIX CI. For example, Linux or HP-UX. |
[ ]

{#classification-parameters__table_kky_2qx_5p}

## Windows parameters {#classification-parameters__section_ugv_npd_fcb}

Windows parameters identify Windows computers communicating with
the WMI protocol.  
{#classification-parameters__table_nf3_drx_5p__entry__2}

| Parameter | Description |
|-|-|
| isNode | Indicates if this instance is a node. |
| type | Returns the classification windows. |
| isVIP | Indicates if this CI is a virtual machine, with a virtual IP address. |
| ip_address | Returns the IP address of the device being discovered. |
| name | Name of the Windows version. |
| cidata.name | Hostname of the Windows OS |
[ ]

{#classification-parameters__table_nf3_drx_5p}

## SNMP parameters {#classification-parameters__section_mmn_qpd_fcb}

The SNMP parameters can define the characteristics of several types of devices, such as
routers, switches, and printers.  
{#classification-parameters__table_smm_ptx_5p__entry__2}

| Parameter | Description |
|-|-|
| powering | A value of true indicates that this device is an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). |
| hosting | A value of true indicates that this device can host programs. Hosts are general purpose computers such as servers. |
| netware | A value of true indicates that this device is running the Netware operating system. |
| routing | A value of true indicates that this device has network routing capabilities. |
| ip_address | Returns the IP address through which the device is being discovered. A device can have multiple IP addresses. |
| sysdescr | Required descriptive field on any SNMP device that can contain useful classification data, such as the operating system and its version. |
| vlans | A value of true indicates that this device can host a virtual local area network. |
| hint_router | A value of true indicates that Discovery has determined that this device is a router. This field only applies to devices that can be used as both a router and a switch. |
| block_router_exploration | If this parameter is true,Discovery will not launch exploration probes for routers it detects. This parameter is used for network Discovery only. |
| switching | A value of true indicates that this device has network switching capabilities. |
| mfr_apc | A value of true indicates that this device is an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) manufactured by American Power Conversion (APC). |
| printing | A value of true indicates that this device has printing capabilities. |
| block_switch_exploration | If this parameter is true, Discovery will not launch exploration probes for switches it detects. This parameter is used for network Discovery only. |
[ ]

{#classification-parameters__table_smm_ptx_5p}

## Process parameters {#classification-parameters__section_kxp_tpd_fcb}

Process parameters identify processes such as those used by LDAP, Apache Server, and JBoss
Server.  
{#classification-parameters__table_gks_nwx_5p__entry__2}

| Parameter | Description |
|-|-|
| parameter | The parameters used to run the process. |
| command | The command used to run the process. |
| output | The complete output of the current line of the process probe. |
| type | Indicates the process type (e.g. unix or windows). |
| PID | The process ID generated by the operating system to identify a running process. This parameter is rarely a practical classification criterion because the value does not remain static. The exception is processes running on an appliance that is never restarted. |
| name | Name of the process being discovered. In some cases, this parameter is not reliable, since several process might be given the same name. In Windows, for example several processes return scvhost.exe for this parameter. |
[ ]

{#classification-parameters__table_gks_nwx_5p}