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Step 5 - Device Discovery
Last Updated: July 07, 2026

Discovery is the process by which the SDM automatically adds existing devices on a network to the SDM.

In preparation for the Discovery process:

  • Identify the networks to be discovered.

  • Identify the subnet masks to be used on these networks, being careful not to specify subnets that would create overlapping networks.

  • Confirm that the /etc/hosts file on the SDM is up-to-date.

NOTE: The SDM uses the /etc/hosts file to name the discovered devices, so it is important to have this file up-to-date prior to discovery. When a device is discovered by the SDM, the name is automatically changed to lower case. When updating the /etc/hosts file, entries for devices that will be added or copied from existing configurations should be entered in lower case letters, so that they will match the actual device name when they are discovered. Devices not found in the /etc/hosts file are named by their IP address.

Once the network is added to the SDM, you can start discovery of the network. The SDM allows discovery of multiple networks to be performed in parallel.

Discover

Notes

Step 1

Make any necessary changes to the /etc/hosts file on the SDM.

Step 2

Under the main menu, select Configuration > Discover Devices.

Step 3

To add a network to be discovered:

Click the Add button.

Add an optional network name.

Enter a network address.

Select a subnet mask.

NOTE: Be careful if breaking up a large existing network and creating smaller subnets. Consult your network administrator to determine the proper subnet value to use.

Enter an optional IP range.

NOTE: Large ranges may take a long time to discover; try to restrict the range, or use exclusion ranges.

Click OK.

Step 4

Start the Discovery; this may take a long time, depending on the number of devices in each network, and the number of networks.