What initiates after the port scan phase during the Discovery process?

Following the port scan phase in the Discovery process, the classification phase is initiated. During this phase, the system analyzes the information gathered from the port scan to determine the types of devices and applications that are present on the network. This classification process is crucial because it allows the Discovery tool to categorize the discovered items based on recognized patterns and attributes.

The classification phase relies on defined classification rules to interpret the data collected during the port scanning. With accurate classification, the system can ensure that it properly identifies various devices and their respective operating environments, which is essential for subsequent stages such as identification and import. This step builds a foundation for the Discovery process, enabling effective inventory management and configuration management within ServiceNow.

While the identification phase, import phase, and synchronization phase each play important roles in the Discovery process, they occur after the classification phase. Identification follows classification to further refine and detail the information, while import deals with bringing this information into the ServiceNow instance. Synchronization relates to aligning the discovered data with existing records and ensuring all information is up-to-date and consistent. Thus, the classification phase is the immediate next step following the port scan, making it the correct answer.