Inventory Module Overview | CXTech
Inventory Module Overview
Document ID: L2A-001
Module: Certero for Enterprise ITAM > Inventory
Database Schema: C_Data\Inventory
Entities: 269+ tables
Overview
The Inventory module is the foundation of the Certero Unified Platform, providing comprehensive discovery and tracking of IT assets across multiple operating systems. It collects hardware specifications, software installations, system configurations, and user information from managed endpoints.
Data is collected via the Certero Client Agent installed on endpoints, through agentless discovery via connectors, or imported from external sources.
Navigation
Menu Path: Main Menu → Computer Systems → [OS Type]
Menu Item | URL | Entity |
|---|
Menu Item | URL | Entity |
|---|---|---|
All Systems | /CerteroWebApp/DataGrid/Data?en=ComputerSystem | ComputerSystem |
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 |
Configurations | /CerteroWebApp/DataGrid/Data?en=ComputerSystemConfiguration | ComputerSystemConfiguration |
Key Concepts
Concept | Description |
|---|
Concept | Description |
|---|---|
Computer System | Any discovered computing device (physical or virtual) |
Agent-based Discovery | Data collected via installed Certero Client Agent |
Agentless Discovery | Data collected via connectors (AD, VMware, etc.) |
Inventory Scan | Scheduled or on-demand data collection from endpoints |
Last Inventory Date | Most recent successful data collection timestamp |
Archive | Soft-delete for systems no longer active |
Zone | Organizational grouping for data visibility |
Supported Operating Systems
OS Family | Entity Name | Agent Support | Key Features |
|---|
OS Family | Entity Name | Agent Support | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
Microsoft Windows | WindowsSystem | Full | Complete HW/SW inventory, registry, services |
Linux (all distros) | LinuxSystem | Full | Packages, kernel, services |
macOS | AppleSystem | Full | Applications, system preferences |
IBM AIX | AixSystem | Full | LPARs, packages, ODM |
Oracle Solaris | SolarisSystem | Full | Zones, packages, patches |
HP-UX | HpuxSystem | Full | vPars, packages |
Data Model
Core Entity Hierarchy
Primary Entities
Entity | Table | Description |
|---|
Entity | Table | Description |
|---|---|---|
ComputerSystem | dbo.ComputerSystem | Base table for all systems |
WindowsSystem | dbo.WindowsSystem | Windows-specific properties |
LinuxSystem | dbo.LinuxSystem | Linux-specific properties |
AppleSystem | dbo.AppleSystem | macOS-specific properties |
AixSystem | dbo.AixSystem | IBM AIX-specific properties |
SolarisSystem | dbo.SolarisSystem | Solaris-specific properties |
HpuxSystem | dbo.HpuxSystem | HP-UX-specific properties |
Related Entities
Category | Entities |
|---|
Category | Entities |
|---|---|
Hardware | ComputerSystemCpu, ComputerSystemMemory, ComputerSystemDisk, NetworkAdapter, ComputerSystemMonitor |
Software | SoftwareProduct, AppleApplication, LinuxPackage, AixPackage, SolarisPackage |
Configuration | ComputerSystemConfiguration, WindowsSystemService, WindowsSystemStartupProgram |
Users | WindowsSystemUser, WindowsSystemUserProfile |
Network | NetworkAdapter, WindowsSystemUserDriveMapping, WindowsSystemUserPrinterMapping |
Entity Relationships
User Interface
Screen: Computer Systems (All)
Navigation: Main Menu → Computer Systems → All Systems
Purpose: Unified view of all discovered computer systems regardless of OS.
Key Columns:
Column | Description |
|---|
Column | Description |
|---|---|
Name | Computer/hostname |
Domain | Active Directory domain |
Operating System | OS name and version |
Last Inventory | Most recent data collection |
IP Address | Primary IP address |
Zone | Assigned organizational zone |
Status | Active/Archived |
Actions Available:
Action | UI Element | Result |
|---|
Action | UI Element | Result |
|---|---|---|
View Details | Click row | Opens system properties |
Archive | Context menu | Marks system as archived |
Delete | Context menu (admin) | Permanently removes system |
Export | Toolbar | Exports to Excel/CSV |
Add to Group | Context menu | Adds to static group |
Screen: System Properties
Navigation: Click on any computer system row
Tabs Available:
Tab | Contents |
|---|
Tab | Contents |
|---|---|
Summary | Key system information |
Hardware | CPU, memory, disk, network |
Software | Installed applications/packages |
Services | Running services (Windows) |
Users | Local users and profiles |
Configuration | System settings |
History | Change tracking |
Data Collection
Agent-Based Collection
Process:
Certero Client Agent installed on endpoint
Agent runs inventory scan (scheduled/triggered)
Data uploaded to Endpoint Server
Endpoint Server processes and stores in C_Data
Data available in UI
Data Collected (Windows):
Category | Examples |
|---|
Category | Examples |
|---|---|
System | Hostname, domain, OS version, serial number |
Hardware | CPU, memory, disks, network adapters, monitors |
Software | Installed programs, Windows features, updates |
Services | Running services, startup type |
Users | Local users, profiles, groups |
Configuration | Registry keys, environment variables |
Agentless Collection
Sources:
Connector | Data Collected |
|---|
Connector | Data Collected |
|---|---|
Active Directory | Computer objects, users, groups |
VMware | Virtual machines, hosts |
Azure | Azure VMs, metadata |
AWS | EC2 instances, metadata |
SCCM | Inventory from SCCM database |
Configuration Rules
Navigation: Main Menu → Client Management → Client Rules
Configuration Rules determine what data the agent collects and how often.
Key Settings:
Setting | Description |
|---|
Setting | Description |
|---|---|
Inventory Schedule | When to run inventory scans |
Modules Enabled | Which data modules to collect |
Upload Frequency | How often to upload data |
Data Retention | How long to keep historical data |
Archiving
What is Archiving?
Archiving is a soft-delete that hides systems from default views while preserving data.
When to Archive:
Decommissioned systems
Systems offline for extended period
Duplicate records
Archive Behavior:
System hidden from default grids (filter: IsArchived = 0)
Data preserved in database
Can be unarchived if needed
Archived systems excluded from compliance calculations
How to Archive:
Navigate to Computer Systems grid
Right-click system(s)
Select "Archive"
Confirm action
Troubleshooting
Issue: System Not Appearing in Inventory
Symptoms:
Agent installed but system not visible
Last Inventory date not updating
Causes & Resolution:
Cause | Resolution |
|---|
Cause | Resolution |
|---|---|
Agent not running | Check service: services.msc → Certero Agent |
Network connectivity | Test connection to Endpoint Server |
DNS resolution | Verify endpoint can resolve server hostname |
Firewall blocking | Check outbound HTTPS (443) rules |
Configuration rule | Verify rule targets this system |
Issue: Stale Inventory Data
Symptoms:
Last Inventory date is old
Data doesn't reflect recent changes
Resolution:
Check agent service status
Verify inventory schedule in Configuration Rules
Check Endpoint Server connectivity
Review agent logs: C:\ProgramData\Certero\Agent\Logs\
Manually trigger inventory: Agent tray icon → Inventory Now
Issue: Duplicate Systems
Symptoms:
Same system appears multiple times
Different system IDs for same computer
Cause: System rebuilt/renamed without proper cleanup.
Resolution:
Identify correct/current record
Archive duplicate records
Review "Duplicate Systems" report: Miscellaneous → Duplicate Systems
Integration Points
Related Modules
Module | Integration |
|---|
Module | Integration |
|---|---|
Apps Monitor | Uses inventory for computer associations |
Licensing | Inventory drives license requirement calculations |
Patch Management | Uses inventory to identify patch targets |
Distribution | Uses inventory for deployment targeting |
Reports | Inventory data available in all reports |
Dynamic Groups
Inventory data can be used in Dynamic Group criteria:
OS version
Hardware specifications
Software installed
Last inventory date
Zone membership
Related Documentation
Computer Systems | CXTech - OS-specific details
Hardware Discovery | CXTech - Hardware inventory
Software Discovery | CXTech - Software inventory
Client Agent Configuration - Agent setup
Technical Reference
Key Files
File | Purpose |
|---|
File | Purpose |
|---|---|
Controllers\ComputerSystemController.cs | Main controller |
Controllers\WindowsSystemController.cs | Windows-specific |
Controllers\LinuxSystemController.cs | Linux-specific |
Controllers\AppleSystemController.cs | macOS-specific |
Services\ComputerSystemService.cs | Business logic |
Database Tables (Inventory Schema)
Table | Purpose |
|---|
Table | Purpose |
|---|---|
dbo.ComputerSystem | Base system data |
dbo.WindowsSystem | Windows extension |
dbo.ComputerSystemCpu | CPU inventory |
dbo.ComputerSystemMemory | Memory inventory |
dbo.ComputerSystemDisk | Disk inventory |
dbo.NetworkAdapter | Network adapters |
dbo.SoftwareProduct | Windows software |
dbo.vwComputerSystem | Main grid view |
API Endpoints
Method | Endpoint | Description |
|---|
Method | Endpoint | Description |
|---|---|---|
GET | /api/ComputerSystem | List all systems |
GET | /api/ComputerSystem/{id} | Get system details |
GET | /api/WindowsSystem | Windows systems only |
GET | /api/LinuxSystem | Linux systems only |
Permissions
Permission | Description |
|---|
Permission | Description |
|---|---|
ComputerSystem.View | View computer systems |
ComputerSystem.Edit | Modify system properties |
ComputerSystem.Delete | Delete systems |
ComputerSystem.Archive | Archive/unarchive systems |
Revision History
Date | Author | Changes |
|---|
Date | Author | Changes |
|---|---|---|
2025-01-14 | CXTech | Initial technical reference |