What might indicate a problem with a custom sensor in the Exploration Phase?

In the Exploration Phase of ServiceNow Discovery, the absence of an XML payload on the form is a significant indicator of issues with a custom sensor. When a custom sensor operates correctly, it should generate an XML payload that contains the data collected during the discovery process. This payload is crucial for the proper functioning and integration of the sensor with the discovery framework. If no XML payload is being generated or becomes visible in the relevant form, it suggests that the sensor may not be executing as intended or that there is a fundamental problem in its configuration or logic.

Moreover, while high execution time can suggest inefficiencies in performance, the actual generation and transmission of data is far more critical during the Exploration Phase. The logs showing successful execution might give a misleading sense of operability if the payload isn't produced, and incorrect CI data is more indicative of potential data processing errors rather than an issue with the sensor's basic operational capability.

Thus, the lack of an XML payload directly points to a failure in the sensor's functioning to collect or report data, making it the most reliable indicator of a problem in this context.