You use variables in discovery patterns to refer to parameters or attributes of the CI that the pattern discovers.

There are several kinds of variables used in discovery: global variables, CI attribute variables, and temporary variables.

CharacteristicsGlobal variableCI attributesTemporary variables
Description Refers to general parameters of a device or application:
computer system
Contains information about the host of the CI for which you create a pattern.
entry point
Contains information about the connection which serves as an entry point for the CI for which you create a pattern.
process
Contains data about the process detected at the port pointed to by the entry point.
Pre CMDB process
Contains data about the process detected on the IP and port of the entry point. Service Mapping retrieves this information from the CMDB before running patterns.
 Refers to parameters defined for the main or related CI type. Refers to a parameter used for a specific operation in a pattern step.
Type/structure Container variable: a variable can hold any combination of single strings and tabular variables. A variable can be:
  • Scalar: A single string
  • Tabular: A table, where each cell is a scalar variable.
  • Vector: A single, unnamed column with as many rows as needed
 Scalar, tabular, or vector
  • Scalar: A single string
  • Tabular: A table, where each cell is a scalar variable.
  • Vector: A single, unnamed column with as many rows as needed
Origin Preconfigured in Service Mapping. Service Mapping derives them from a CI type definition. You create these variables while defining operations for pattern steps.
Modifiable in Pattern Designer No No Yes
Some process variables retrieve values from the CMDB. Run the horizontal discovery prior to performing the top-down discovery to use these variables.
Note: The Pre CMDB process variable is present for lightweight identification sections or for identification sections of patterns for discovery of load balancers.

Pattern Designer displays different kinds of variables in different areas of its interface.


Types of variables displayed in different areas in Pattern Designer window

Always prefix variables with the dollar symbol ($) which indicates variables, but is not actually a part of the variable name. For example, if you specify $Abc as the variable name, the actual name of the variable is Abc.