Optimizing inventory scanning

The following information describes some of the options available for optimizing your inventory scans.

Delta scanning

After the initial full scan is run on a device, the inventory scanner only captures delta changes and sends them to the core database. By sending only changed data, network traffic and data processing times are minimized.

Forcing a full scan

If you want to force a full scan of the device's hardware and software data, you can delete the existing delta scan file and change a setting in the Configure Ivanti Software Services applet (Configure > Services).

  1. Delete the invdelta.dat file from the device. A copy of the latest inventory scan in stored locally as a hidden file named invdelta.dat. The LDMS_LOCAL_DIR environment variable sets the location for this file. By default it is in C:\Program Files\LANDesk\LDClient\Data.
  2. Add the /sync option to the inventory scanner utility's command line. To edit the command line, click Start > All Programs > Ivanti Management, right-click the Inventory Scan shortcut icon, select Properties > Shortcut, then edit the Target path.
  3. At the core server, click Start > All Programs > Ivanti > Ivanti Configure Services.
  4. Click the Inventory tab, then click Advanced settings.
  5. Click the Do Delta setting. In the Value box type 0.
  6. Click OK twice, then click Yes at the prompt to restart the service.

Scan compression

Inventory scans performed by the Windows inventory scanner (ldiscn32.exe) are compressed by default. The scanner compresses full scans and delta scans with approximately an 8:1 compression ratio. Scans are first built completely in memory, then compressed and sent to the core server using a larger packet size. Scan compression requires fewer packets and reduces bandwidth usage.

Scan encryption

By default, inventory scans are encrypted (TCP/IP scans only). You can disable inventory scan encryption by changing a setting in the Configure Ivanti Software Services applet (Configure > Services).

  1. At the core server, click Start > All Programs > Ivanti > Ivanti Configure Services.
  2. Click the Inventory tab, then click Advanced settings.
  3. Click the Disable Encryption setting. In the Value box type 1.
  4. Click Set, then click OK.
  5. Click OK, then click Yes at the prompt to restart the service.

Encrypted data transport

In the Configure > Services > Inventory tab, there is an Encrypted data transport option. This option causes device scans to be sent to the core using SSL. Since the files are sent through the Web service and not the inventory service front end, a NAT address won't be appended to the scan file, even if that option is enabled in the registry.