---
title: Custom Discovery probe to populate a CI from a text file
description: This custom Discovery probe reads a text file from a Windows computer and populates a configuration item \(CI\) in the CMDB with the values from the file.
locale: en-US
canonical_url: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/it-operations-management/discovery/t\_CustomProbeTextFile.html
release: australia
product: Discovery
classification: discovery
topic_type: task
last_updated: "2026-08-07"
reading_time_minutes: 2
breadcrumb: [Discovery probes and sensors, Using Discovery, Discovery, ITOM Visibility, IT Operations Management]
---

# Custom Discovery probe to populate a CI from a text file

This custom Discovery probe reads a text file from a Windows computer and populates a configuration item \(CI\) in the CMDB with the values from the file.

## Before you begin

Role required: admin

## About this task

In this example the user wanted to read files created by BGinfo.

**Note:** When you have completed the probe and sensor, place the probe in the appropriate Windows classifier at **Discovery Definition** > **CI Classification** > **Windows**.

## Procedure

1.  Navigate to **Discovery Definition** > **Probes**.

2.  Select **New**.

3.  Complete the following fields:

    -   Name: Unique and descriptive name for the probe
    -   Probe type: Select **Probe**.
    -   Description: Describe the function of this probe.
    -   Used by Discovery: Select this check box
    -   ECC queue topic: This is name of the probe the MID Server is to run. In this example, we use WMIRunner.
    -   ECC queue name: In this example, we use the descriptive name WMI: BGInfo files.
4.  Right-click in the header bar and select **Save** from the context menu.

5.  Select the Probe Parameters tab in the Probe form, and then select **New**.

6.  Enter `WMI_GetFiles.js` as the Name of this parameter.

7.  Copy the script below into the Script field and edit as needed.

8.  Select **Submit**.

    ```
    
    //
     // Use ServiceNow WMIAPI to gather stats
     //
     var CMD_RETRIES = 3;
     var scanner = getScanner();
     if (scanner) {
       var output = "";
       for(var i = 0; i < CMD_RETRIES; i++) {
          output = scanner.winExec("%SystemRoot%\\system32\\cmd.exe /C type \\\"C:\\Information Systems\\BgInfo\\*.txt\\\"");
          if (output)
             break;
       }
       scanner.appendToRoot("output", output);
     }
    ```

9.  Navigate to **Discovery Definition** &gt; **Sensors**.

10. Select **New**.

    Complete the following fields:

    -   Name: Use the same name as the matching probe. In this example, we use Windows - Get BGInfo files.
    -   Reacts to probe: The name of the probe created in the previous procedure: Windows - Get BGInfo files
    -   Sensor type: Select the type of sensor to create - in this example Sensor.
    -   Description: Describes the function of this sensor.
    -   Script: Copy the script below into the Script field and edit as needed.
    -   Sensor type: Determines how the answer from the probe is processed - in this example JavaScript.
11. Select **Submit**.

    ```
     
     
    new DiscoverySensor({ data: {}, process: function(result) { 
     
            this.parseOutput(result.output);
            this.update(this.data);
        },
     
     parseOutput: function(output) {
            var currentFile;
            var files = {};
     
     if (output.startsWith("<wmi")) {
                var bgout = new XMLHelper(output).toObject();
                if (!bgout)
                    return;
     
     output = bgout.output;
            }
     
     var lines = output.split(/\n/);
     
     for(var i = 0; i < lines.length; i++) {
                var line = lines[i];
                if (line.startsWith("C:\\Information Systems\\BgInfo\\")) {
                    currentFile = line.substr(30);
                    files[currentFile] = "";
                } else if (currentFile) {
                    var newLine = line.trim();
                    if (newLine)
                        files[currentFile] += (files[currentFile]? "\n&nbsp;" : "") + newLine;
                }
            }
     
     this.data['u_jack_id'] = files['JackID.txt'];
     this.data['warranty_expiration'] = files['Warranty.txt'];
     this.data['po_number'] = files['Ponum.txt'];},
     type: "DiscoverySensor"
     
     });
    
    ```


**Parent Topic:**[Discovery probes and sensors](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/it-operations-management/discovery/c_DiscoveryProbesAndSensors.md)