Computer Systems - Technical Reference | CXTech

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.



Data Model

Base Entity: ComputerSystem

All computer systems inherit from the base ComputerSystem entity.

Key Properties:

OS-Specific Extensions

WindowsSystem

LinuxSystem

AppleSystem

AixSystem

SolarisSystem


User Interface

All Systems Grid

Navigation: Main Menu → Computer Systems → All Systems

Default Columns:

Available Actions:

System Properties View

Navigation: Click any system row

Tab Structure:


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:

Virtual Machine Properties


Data Collection

Agent Collection Schedule

Default collection components:

Collection Triggers


Configurations

ComputerSystemConfiguration Entity

Navigation: Main Menu → Computer Systems → Configurations

Stores point-in-time configuration snapshots.

Key Fields:


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

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


Technical Reference

Controllers

Database Views

Permissions


Revision History