Skip to tutorial content
Rate module Not yet rated

Device Classifiers

4 min read
On this page

In this lesson, you will learn:

  • What a classifier does
  • How SNMP devices are classified
  • How SNWR handled a new switch model

🔁 Quick look back: Last time: IP Services and Port Probes. You learned how IP services and port probes decide which ports are checked.

1 The Problem: A New Switch Shows Up as Unknown

SNWR bought a new switch model last year. In a test scan:

  • It answered SNMP fine.
  • But Discovery saved it as generic network gear, not a switch.

🎯 The problem: A new switch model shows up as the wrong kind of device.

👉 The fix: Add a classification so Discovery recognises the model.

Table of classifier types.
Figure 1. How different devices get classified.

2 What a classifier does

Key term: Classifier

A rule that looks at what a device reports and decides its class.

Key term: OID

Object identifier. A number an SNMP device reports that identifies its maker and model.

After classification, Discovery knows which pattern to run.

3 New models

If a device’s OID isn’t known, Discovery can’t pick the right class. You can add an OID classification for the model.

💡 Good to know: Check for a newer pattern content update first. It may already know the model.

4 Project Clear View: How We Implemented It

📍 Situation: The new switch model came in as generic network gear.

🧭 Decision: Check content first, then add an OID classification if needed.

🛠️ Steps we took:

  1. Checked the latest content. The model wasn’t there yet.
  2. Read the switch’s system OID from the test results.
  3. Added an OID classification mapping it to IP Switch.
  4. Rescanned the switch.

✅ What we verified:

  • The switch is now an IP Switch.
  • The change is recorded for the migration matrix.

📁 Evidence: The OID classification, listed in the migration matrix.

5 Quick recap

  • Classifiers decide a device’s class from what it reports.
  • SNMP devices are classified by their OID.
  • Classification decides which pattern runs.
  • Check content updates before adding your own.

6 Check yourself

Think of your answer first. Then tap to check.

1 What is an OID? Show answer

A number an SNMP device reports that identifies its maker and model.

2 What happens after classification? Show answer

Discovery runs the right pattern for that class.

3 What should you check before adding an OID classification? Show answer

Whether newer pattern content already knows the model.

Nice work! SNWR’s new switch is classified properly. 🎉
Next up: Process Classifiers for Applications

Was this lesson helpful?

Have a question or doubt?

Ask here and get help from instructors and fellow learners.

0 / 300

Only logged-in learners can post.