Continuous Discovery Processing

Continuous Discovery Processing is a systematic approach to identifying, analyzing, and integrating new information or insights into an ongoing workflow. This process ensures that organizations remain adaptive and responsive to changes in their environment, enabling them to make informed decisions and maintain a competitive edge. Stay effortlessly up-to-date and enjoy a more streamlined, hands-off experience.

The Continuous Discovery Processing feature automatically refreshes the discovery reports in every few minutes for not having to wait for the data imports. BigFix Inventory server collects and processes scan data shortly after it is uploaded from the endpoint to the BigFix server, not waiting for the standard, scheduled import process. There is no change to the scanner and data collection schedule.

Note: Make sure that there is only one upload action in progress with the flag (Enable Continuous Discovery Processing) or without the flag for the selected computer. Otherwise, BigFix Inventory processing will switch between standard import and background processing.

To apply the continuous discovery processing, refer to Steps to perform continuous discovery.

Note: The Continuous Discovery Processing requires the initial import process to complete to start. Continuous Discovery Processing is paused when the standard import process is run, and it resumes after the import process is complete.

Reports and API

Component instance processing status can be checked on Software Classification and Software Summary reports with the new Processed column and a new icon displayed next to the name of components with unfinished processing. In the Software Summary report, the icon is visible only when the Processed column is shown.
Software instances/classification v2 API (/api/sam/v2/software_instances) and Unified API (/api/sam/v2/software_instances) by default does not return nor modify component instances with unfinished processing. They can be included with the include_unprocessed parameter. Status of component instance processing can be returned with optional is_processed property. For information of the query parameter, refer to the available columns and the query parameters.
Software Classification, Software Installations reports
- The reports include new software discovery records based on the Catalog discovery mechanism (File, Package, CIT signatures)
- New data records are marked with icon and the 'Processed' flag is set to 'No' as the licensing and discovery detailed information are calculated during the import process.
Software Summary
- New data record groups are visible and marked with icon if the new 'Processed' flag is added to the report.
Package Summary
- New data records can be distinguished by the 'First Detected' column.
Package Data
- New data records can be distinguished by the 'First Detected' column.
Scanned File Data
- New data records can be distinguished by the 'First Detected' column.
Computers
- New data records can be distinguished by the 'First Seen' column.

Computers discovered during the process

Newly discovered computers are added as part of the Continuous Discovery Processing. This occurs after uploading the software scan result using the Upload Software Scan Results fixlet with the Continuous Discovery Processing flag enabled.
Custom computer properties are not being populated for computers created during the Continuous Discovery Processing. They are added during the next data import.
Newly created computers will be assigned to the All Computers group. They will be assigned to the target computer group during the next data import.

Data Import indicator

If Continuous Discovery Processing discovers new unprocessed components, a 'data import indicator' appears. This indicator disappears after the data import is complete. It appears after the background processing feature discovers new components, indicating that a full import should be run to ensure that data about new discoveries is imported.