Configure Discovery identity probes

task brazil Updated Sep 10, 2026 1 min read t_ConfigureDiscoveryIdentityProbes.md

Identity probes are multi-probes, which contain one or more simple probes configured to extract specific information from manageable devices. You can create your own identity multi-probe to identify CIs that Discovery does not already identify.

Before you begin

Role required: discovery_admin or admin

About this task

Identity probes return such information as device serial numbers (there can be several per device), the computer name, and network identification (MAC address). For example, the Linux - Identity multiprobe provided in the system, contains two simple SSH probes configured to return hardware and network information about the device. After the probe has discovered this information, it passes the data to a multisensor configured to process identity information.

Note: A multiprobe cannot contain another multiprobe.

Procedure

Navigate to All > Discovery Definition > Probes.
Select a probe from the list whose Class is Multiprobe.
Make sure the scope is set to Global.
In the Includes Probes Related List, click Edit to select simple probes to include in this multiprobe.
Click New to create a new simple probe.

Example

[Omitted image "DiscoveryMultiprobeSelect.png"] Alt text: Discovery identity probes

What to do next

Configure Discovery identity sensors that are part of the identify probes.

Parent Topic:Discovery identifiers

52 lines · 2.4 KB Wrap lines

---
title: Configure Discovery identity probes
description: Identity probes are multi-probes, which contain one or more simple probes configured to extract specific information from manageable devices. You can create your own identity multi-probe to identify CIs that Discovery does not already identify.
locale: en-US
canonical_url: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/it-operations-management/discovery/t\_ConfigureDiscoveryIdentityProbes.html
release: brazil
product: Discovery
classification: discovery
topic_type: task
last_updated: "2026-09-10"
reading_time_minutes: 1
breadcrumb: [Discovery identifiers, Configuring Discovery, Discovery, ITOM Visibility, IT Operations Management]
---

# Configure Discovery identity probes

## Before you begin

Role required: discovery\_admin or admin

## About this task

Identity probes return such information as device serial numbers \(there can be several per device\), the computer name, and network identification \(MAC address\). For example, the Linux - Identity multiprobe provided in the system, contains two simple SSH probes configured to return hardware and network information about the device. After the probe has discovered this information, it passes the data to a multisensor configured to process identity information.

**Note:** A multiprobe cannot contain another multiprobe.

## Procedure

1. Navigate to **All** &gt; **Discovery Definition** &gt; **Probes**.

2. Select a probe from the list whose **Class** is Multiprobe.

3. Make sure the scope is set to **Global**.

4. In the **Includes Probes** Related List, click **Edit** to select simple probes to include in this multiprobe.

5. Click **New** to create a new simple probe.

## Example

\[Omitted image "DiscoveryMultiprobeSelect.png"\] Alt text: Discovery identity probes

## What to do next

[Configure Discovery identity sensors](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/brazil/markdown/it-operations-management/discovery/t_ConfigDiscoIdentSens.md) that are part of the identify probes.

**Parent Topic:**[Discovery identifiers](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/brazil/markdown/it-operations-management/discovery/c_DiscoveryIdentifiers.md)