What is the purpose of the probes launched in the Port Scan phase?

In the Port Scan phase of ServiceNow Discovery, the primary purpose of the probes is to scan for open TCP ports on networked devices. This process is crucial because it helps identify which services and applications are running on the devices within the computational environment. By sending specially crafted packets to various ports on a target device, the probes can determine whether a port is open, closed, or filtered, thus providing insights into the device's network configuration and capabilities.

Understanding which ports are open allows the discovery process to accurately map out the network topology and ascertain the potential interactions that can occur with various services. This information is vital for maintaining an accurate asset inventory, assessing security vulnerabilities, and managing network resources effectively. Being able to identify active services on open ports also plays a key role in risk management and compliance efforts within an organization.