Serial number types for identification

  • Release version: Australia
  • Updated March 12, 2026
  • 1 minute to read
  • As Discovery finds CIs, their serial numbers are listed in the Serial Number [cmdb_serial_number] table so they are easy to identify. Serial number types vary depending on the CI, as described in the following examples.

    Important:
    Serial numbers are necessary for accurate asset tracking. If you modified baseline probes, sensors, or patterns, verify that they still discover serial numbers. In addition, do not configure sensors or patterns to modify the serial number syntax, such as adding a custom prefix. Non-standard serial numbers can lead to inaccurate asset tracking.

    Linux

    In the result of dmidecode | cat, the value on the left side is what Discovery looks for. The value on the right side is how it is stored in the Serial Number [cmdb_serial_number] table.

    Serial Number : system_serial_number
     
    UUID : uuid_serial
     
    Serial Number : baseboard_serial
     
    Serial Number : chassis_serial

    Windows

    For Win32 WMI classes, the value on the left is the name by which it is stored in the Serial Number [cmdb_serial_number] table. The value on the right is the WMI value.

    ('system' : Win32_ComputerSystemProduct.IdentifyingNumber);
     
    ('uuid' : Win32_ComputerSystemProduct.UUID);
     
    ('chassis' : Win32_SystemEnclosure.SerialNumber);
     
    ('bios' : Win32_BIOS.SerialNumber);
     
    ('baseboard' : Win32_BaseBoard.SerialNumber);

    SNMP

    For SNMP, the mapping below is based on the code. Physical types of serial numbers are from all instances of iso.org.dod.internet.mgmt.mib-2.entityMIB.

    'cisco_stack' : 'iso.org.dod.internet.private.enterprises.cisco.workgroup.ciscoStackMIB.chassisGrp.chassisSerialNumberString'
     
    'cisco_chassis' : 'iso.org.dod.internet.private.enterprises.cisco.temporary.chassis.chassisId'
     
    'foundry' : 'iso.org.dod.internet.private.enterprises.foundry.products.switch.snChassis.snChasGen.snChasSerNum'
     
    'apc_pdu' : 'iso.org.dod.internet.private.enterprises.apc.products.hardware.masterswitch.sPDUIdent.sPDUIdentSerialNumber'
     
    'printer' : 'iso.org.dod.internet.mgmt.mib-2.printmib.prtGeneral.prtGeneralEntry'
     
    'standard' : 'iso.org.dod.internet.private.enterprises.apc.products.hardware.ups.upsIdent.upsAdvIdent.upsAdvIdentSerialNumber'