---
title: Device Auto Discovery
slug: singleconnect-reference-guide-3-1-0/device-auto-discovery
description: Learn how to effectively utilize Device Auto Discovery to scan network subnets and existing devices in device groups with this comprehensive document. Discover the necessary parameters to configure for device discovery and master the usage of global usern
docTags: 
createdAt: 2022-07-26T12:37:04.000Z
---

Device Auto Discovery can be used to scan a network subnet or existing devices in device groups. To discover devices some parameters should be added to the related element types:

1. Navigate to **Device Management** > **Element Type**.
2. Select an element type to set the required parameters and click the **Options **button, then the **Show Properties** button.
3. Set the following parameters:
   **discovery.commands.hostname**: Command to get the hostname
   **discovery.commands.hostname.pattern:** Regex to get the hostname from the output of the hostname command
   **discovery.commands.version.command**: Command to get the version
   **discovery.model.match.regex**: Word or regex to be matched to the output of the version command
   **discovery.name.server.lookup.hostname**: Set as **true **or** false.** The default value is **false**. It allows for device discovery with the hostname, by executing the command **nslookup**.


Global username/password and/or subnet addresses should be set on the device groups. To use Global username/password to discover subnets or existing devices:

1. Navigate to **Device Management** > **Device Groups**.
2. Right-click on the device group to be discovered and select **Show Properties.**
3. On the Device Group Properties Information screen, select **globalUsername** and **globalPassword** as the **Property Key**, enter the related information, then **Save** each property.

To add a subnet to discover subnets:

1. Navigate to **Device Management** > **Device Groups**.
2. Right-click on the device group to be discovered and select** Add/Edit Subnet**
3. Set subnet information and** Save**.

Auto discovery steps:

1. Navigate to **Device Management **> **Device Inventory**.
2. Open the **Auto Device Discovery** tab.
3. Fill out the relevant device discovery information and click **Discover**.
4. Fill out the relevant device discovery information and click **Save Scheduler**.



![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/g9cApVza9NIhSh0pjZYtA/7NPsoRdfUHB0iI1ad1YHy_image.png "Multiple Device Editing")

The Auto Discovery screen elements are:

**Access Protocol:** Protocol to discover devices. If the SNMP protocol is selected, the protocol to change to after the discovery should be selected. 

**Possible Element Types**: Possible element types in the search range. Devices will be matched with these element types. 

**Discover Type**: If **Subnet** is selected, the subnet of the device groups is scanned. If **Existing Devices** is selected, the existing devices in the selected device groups are scanned for changes. 

**Cron Expression**: If the user wants to scan for devices periodically, a cron expression should be entered.

:::hint{type="info"}
The Device Auto Discovery feature can be used for existing devices. It allows for the discovery of devices that have had their properties changed, such as an IP of a Linux device that has been converted to a Windows RDP device.
:::

The Device Auto Discovery Logs show the results of the device auto discovery. Logs can be searched by using different variables, such as date, time, log in success, device IP, etc. Please refer to the Logging section for more in-depth information regarding logs and logging.