How long does the Heartbeat probe wait before sending out another status check?

The Heartbeat probe in ServiceNow Discovery is designed to periodically check the status of devices to ensure they are online and functioning correctly. The default interval for the Heartbeat probe to wait before sending out another status check is indeed set to 5 minutes. This timing is purposeful, as it strikes a balance between providing timely updates on a device's status while also minimizing network traffic and potential overloading of the monitored systems with too frequent checks.

This interval allows for sufficient time to determine if a device is truly down, as network interruptions can occasionally cause temporary connectivity issues. If the Heartbeat probe were to check more frequently, it could result in unnecessary alerts and strain on the monitoring infrastructure, leading to less efficient resource allocation and management.

In contrast, other time intervals such as 1 minute, 2 minutes, or 10 minutes would not align with the standard configuration of the Heartbeat probe, leading to either excessive notifications for transient issues or delayed awareness of device failures. Therefore, 5 minutes is the correct and optimal setting for this probe’s operational design in ServiceNow Discovery.