---
title: "Computer Systems - Technical Reference | CXTech"
canonical: "https://ai-docs.certero.com/space/CUP/167247902/Computer%20Systems%20-%20Technical%20Reference%20%7C%20CXTech"
format: markdown
---
# Computer Systems - Technical Reference

> **Document ID:** L2A-002  
> **Module:** Certero for Enterprise ITAM > Inventory  
> **Menu:** Computer Systems  
> **Primary Entity:** ComputerSystem

---

## Overview

Computer Systems is the central inventory module for all discovered computing devices. It provides a unified view across all operating systems while supporting OS-specific properties and features through inheritance.

---

## Navigation

### Menu Paths

| Menu Item | URL | Entity |
| --- | --- | --- |
| All Systems | `/CerteroWebApp/DataGrid/Data?en=ComputerSystem` | ComputerSystem |
| Configurations | `/CerteroWebApp/DataGrid/Data?en=ComputerSystemConfiguration` | ComputerSystemConfiguration |
| Microsoft Windows | `/CerteroWebApp/DataGrid/Data?en=WindowsSystem` | WindowsSystem |
| Linux | `/CerteroWebApp/DataGrid/Data?en=LinuxSystem` | LinuxSystem |
| macOS | `/CerteroWebApp/DataGrid/Data?en=AppleSystem` | AppleSystem |
| IBM AIX | `/CerteroWebApp/DataGrid/Data?en=AixSystem` | AixSystem |
| Oracle Solaris | `/CerteroWebApp/DataGrid/Data?en=SolarisSystem` | SolarisSystem |
| HP-UX | `/CerteroWebApp/DataGrid/Data?en=HpuxSystem` | HpuxSystem |

---

## Data Model

### Base Entity: ComputerSystem

All computer systems inherit from the base `ComputerSystem` entity.

**Key Properties:**

| Property | Type | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Id | int | Unique identifier |
| Name | string | Computer name/hostname |
| DomainName | string | AD domain or workgroup |
| FullyQualifiedDomainName | string | FQDN |
| OperatingSystemId | int | FK to OperatingSystem |
| LastInventoryDate | datetime | Last successful inventory |
| LastBootTime | datetime | Last system boot |
| IsArchived | bool | Soft-delete flag |
| ZoneId | int | Organizational zone |
| SerialNumber | string | Hardware serial |
| Manufacturer | string | Hardware manufacturer |
| Model | string | Hardware model |
| BiosVersion | string | BIOS version |
| TotalPhysicalMemory | long | RAM in bytes |
| NumberOfProcessors | int | Physical CPU count |
| NumberOfLogicalProcessors | int | Logical CPU count |
| IsVirtual | bool | Virtual machine flag |
| VirtualHostId | int | FK to host if virtual |

### OS-Specific Extensions

#### WindowsSystem

| Property | Description |
| --- | --- |
| WindowsVersion | Windows version string |
| WindowsBuild | Build number |
| WindowsEdition | Edition (Pro, Enterprise, etc.) |
| DomainRole | Domain controller, member, etc. |
| InstallDate | OS installation date |
| ProductKey | Windows product key |
| ActivationStatus | License activation state |

#### LinuxSystem

| Property | Description |
| --- | --- |
| Distribution | Linux distribution name |
| KernelVersion | Kernel version |
| KernelRelease | Kernel release |
| Architecture | x86_64, ARM, etc. |

#### AppleSystem

| Property | Description |
| --- | --- |
| HardwareModel | Mac model identifier |
| ProcessorName | Apple Silicon or Intel |
| SystemVersion | macOS version |
| BuildVersion | Build identifier |

#### AixSystem

| Property | Description |
| --- | --- |
| TechnologyLevel | AIX TL |
| ServicePack | Service pack level |
| PartitionType | LPAR configuration |

#### SolarisSystem

| Property | Description |
| --- | --- |
| ZoneType | Global/non-global zone |
| ZoneName | Zone name if applicable |
| KernelVersion | Solaris kernel |

---

## User Interface

### All Systems Grid

**Navigation:** Main Menu → Computer Systems → All Systems

**Default Columns:**

| Column | Source | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Name | [ComputerSystem.Name](http://ComputerSystem.Name) | Hostname |
| Domain | ComputerSystem.DomainName | AD domain |
| Operating System | [OperatingSystem.Name](http://OperatingSystem.Name) | OS name |
| Version | OperatingSystem.Version | OS version |
| Last Inventory | ComputerSystem.LastInventoryDate | Last scan |
| IP Address | NetworkAdapter.IpAddress | Primary IP |
| Manufacturer | ComputerSystem.Manufacturer | Hardware vendor |
| Model | ComputerSystem.Model | Hardware model |
| Zone | [Zone.Name](http://Zone.Name) | Organizational zone |

**Available Actions:**

| Action | Access | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| View Properties | Click row | Open detailed view |
| Archive | Context menu | Soft-delete |
| Unarchive | Context menu | Restore archived |
| Delete | Context menu (admin) | Permanent delete |
| Export | Toolbar | Excel/CSV export |
| Add to Static Group | Context menu | Group membership |
| Run Command | Context menu | Remote execution |

### System Properties View

**Navigation:** Click any system row

**Tab Structure:**

| Tab | Contents |
| --- | --- |
| **Summary** | Key system info, identification |
| **Hardware** | CPU, memory, disks, network |
| **Software** | Installed applications |
| **Services** | Running services (Windows) |
| **Users** | Local users and profiles |
| **Updates** | Installed updates/patches |
| **Certificates** | SSL/TLS certificates |
| **Configuration** | System settings |
| **History** | Change tracking |
| **Related** | Related entities |

---

## OS-Specific Features

### Windows Systems

**Additional Menu Items:**

- Services: `WindowsSystemService`
- Startup Programs: `WindowsSystemStartupProgram`
- Shares: `WindowsSystemShare`
- Printers: Local printers

**Key Data:**

- Registry information
- Windows features
- Installed updates (KB articles)
- Local users and groups
- Environment variables

### Linux Systems

**Additional Data:**

- Package managers (RPM, DEB, etc.)
- Kernel modules
- Mount points
- Cron jobs
- System services (systemd/init)

### macOS Systems

**Additional Data:**

- Applications (.app bundles)
- System preferences
- Kernel extensions
- User applications

### IBM AIX Systems

**Additional Data:**

- LPAR information
- ODM data
- Filesets
- LPP packages

### Oracle Solaris Systems

**Additional Data:**

- Zone configuration
- Packages (IPS/SVR4)
- Patches
- SMF services

---

## Virtual Machine Detection

### How Virtualization is Detected

The platform detects virtual machines through multiple methods:

| Method | Platforms |
| --- | --- |
| BIOS/firmware strings | VMware, Hyper-V, VirtualBox |
| Hardware identifiers | VMware, Hyper-V |
| Hypervisor connectors | VMware, Hyper-V, Nutanix |
| Cloud metadata | AWS, Azure |

### Virtual Machine Properties

| Property | Description |
| --- | --- |
| IsVirtual | True if VM detected |
| VirtualHostId | FK to host system |
| VirtualPlatform | VMware, Hyper-V, etc. |
| VirtualUuid | VM unique identifier |

---

## Data Collection

### Agent Collection Schedule

Default collection components:

| Component | Default Schedule | Data |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Hardware | Daily | CPU, memory, disk |
| Software | Daily | Installed apps |
| Services | Daily | Running services |
| Users | Daily | Local users |
| Full Inventory | Weekly | All data |

### Collection Triggers

| Trigger | Description |
| --- | --- |
| Scheduled | Based on Configuration Rule |
| On Demand | Manual trigger from agent |
| Policy-based | Triggered by policy events |
| Startup | Collection on agent start |

---

## Configurations

### ComputerSystemConfiguration Entity

**Navigation:** Main Menu → Computer Systems → Configurations

Stores point-in-time configuration snapshots.

**Key Fields:**

| Field | Description |
| --- | --- |
| ComputerSystemId | Associated system |
| ConfigurationDate | When captured |
| ConfigurationType | Type of configuration |
| ConfigurationData | JSON/XML data |

---

## Troubleshooting

### Issue: System Shows Wrong OS Type

**Symptoms:**

- System appears under wrong OS category
- OS-specific features not available

**Resolution:**

1. Check OS detection in inventory
2. Verify agent is collecting OS data
3. Check for WMI/system query errors
4. Re-run full inventory

### Issue: Missing Hardware Information

**Symptoms:**

- CPU/memory/disk shows as empty
- Hardware tab incomplete

**Resolution:**

1. Check agent permissions
2. Verify WMI service (Windows)
3. Check hardware queries in agent logs
4. Some virtual platforms limit hardware visibility

### Issue: Duplicate Systems

**Symptoms:**

- Same computer appears multiple times
- Different IDs for same hostname

**Cause:** System rebuilt without cleanup, or multiple discovery sources.

**Resolution:**

1. Review: Miscellaneous → Duplicate Systems
2. Archive incorrect records
3. Merge if feature available
4. Check unique identifier settings

### Issue: Systems Not Updating

**Symptoms:**

- Last Inventory date not changing
- Data appears stale

**Resolution:**

1. Check agent service status
2. Verify network connectivity to Endpoint Server
3. Review agent logs for errors
4. Check Configuration Rule schedule
5. Verify system matches rule criteria

---

## API Reference

### Endpoints

| Method | Endpoint | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| GET | `/api/ComputerSystem` | All systems |
| GET | `/api/ComputerSystem/{id}` | Single system |
| GET | `/api/ComputerSystem/{id}/Hardware` | Hardware details |
| GET | `/api/ComputerSystem/{id}/Software` | Software list |
| GET | `/api/WindowsSystem` | Windows only |
| GET | `/api/LinuxSystem` | Linux only |
| GET | `/api/AppleSystem` | macOS only |
| PATCH | `/api/ComputerSystem/{id}` | Update system |
| DELETE | `/api/ComputerSystem/{id}` | Delete system |

### OData Query Examples

```
# Windows 10 systems
/api/WindowsSystem?$filter=contains(WindowsVersion,'10')

# Systems not inventoried in 30 days
/api/ComputerSystem?$filter=LastInventoryDate lt 2024-12-01

# Virtual machines only
/api/ComputerSystem?$filter=IsVirtual eq true

# Systems in specific zone
/api/ComputerSystem?$filter=ZoneId eq 5
```

---

## Related Documentation

- [Inventory Module Overview | CXTech](https://certero.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/CUP)
- [Hardware Discovery | CXTech](https://certero.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/CUP)
- [Software Discovery | CXTech](https://certero.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/CUP)
- [Virtualization | CXTech](https://certero.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/CUP)

---

## Technical Reference

### Controllers

| Controller | Purpose |
| --- | --- |
| `ComputerSystemController` | Base system operations |
| `WindowsSystemController` | Windows-specific |
| `LinuxSystemController` | Linux-specific |
| `AppleSystemController` | macOS-specific |
| `AixSystemController` | AIX-specific |
| `SolarisSystemController` | Solaris-specific |
| `HpuxSystemController` | HP-UX-specific |

### Database Views

| View | Purpose |
| --- | --- |
| `vwComputerSystem` | Main grid view |
| `vwWindowsSystem` | Windows grid |
| `vwLinuxSystem` | Linux grid |
| `vwAppleSystem` | macOS grid |
| `vwComputerSystemSummary` | Summary data |

### Permissions

| Permission | Access |
| --- | --- |
| `ComputerSystem.View` | View systems |
| `ComputerSystem.Edit` | Modify properties |
| `ComputerSystem.Delete` | Delete systems |
| `ComputerSystem.Archive` | Archive systems |
| `ComputerSystem.Command` | Run remote commands |

---

## Revision History

| Date | Author | Changes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 2025-01-14 | CXTech | Initial technical reference |