Know if Agent or Agentless discovery method is right for you
Before any device can be managed, it has to be discovered. That might sound obvious, but in large or fast-moving environments, many assets go undetected. Especially when people bring their own devices or spin up cloud tools independently.
This is where IT asset discovery fits into the broader picture of IT Asset Management (ITAM). It helps create the inventory. Without it, the entire asset lifecycle has no reliable starting point.
There are two common ways to handle discovery: agent-based and agentless. Each works differently, and each comes with trade-offs. Choosing the right approach depends on how your organisation is set up, how much control you need, and what you want to track.
What Is Agent-Based Discovery and How Does It Work?
In this method, a small software agent is installed on every device you want to track. That agent reports back regularly with data like location, usage patterns, software versions, and patch status.
Because the agent is running directly on the device, it can collect detailed information. It also works whether or not the device is connected to the corporate network, which makes it a better fit for remote-first teams.
However, installing and maintaining agents across hundreds or thousands of endpoints can increase overhead. Some teams also face pushback when trying to install agents on personal or bring-your-own devices.
What Is Agentless Discovery and When Should You Use It?
Instead of installing software, agentless tools use standard protocols like SNMP, WMI, or SSH to scan the network and identify what is connected. These tools can pick up a wide range of devices, including printers, switches, IP phones, and unmanaged laptops.
Agentless discovery is easier to deploy and often faster to scale. It also avoids the operational friction of pushing software to every device. But it comes with limitations. It can only detect assets when they are on the network. It may not have visibility into the device’s health, status, or installed software.
This makes it better suited for environments where visibility is more important than control – such as early-stage discovery, short audits, or sites with security restrictions.
Agent vs Agentless: Which Discovery Method Is Right for You?
There’s no single best option. Many organisations use a combination of both. Agent-based tools offer persistent tracking and insight into usage, which supports long-term maintenance and compliance. Agentless tools are often used for initial scans, quick audits, or identifying unmanaged devices.
If your team relies on remote monitoring, agent-based discovery may be the more reliable choice. If you’re focused on reducing blind spots in legacy networks or shared spaces, agentless tools can cover ground more quickly.
Whichever method you choose, the goal stays the same: make sure every asset is accounted for. Untracked devices lead to patch gaps, access risks, and failed audits – all problems that ITAM is designed to prevent.