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Hardware inventory

As explained in Think Like a CTO

A hardware inventory is a maintained record of an organization's physical computing equipment and its identifying, configuration, lifecycle, and access information.

A hardware inventory is a maintained record of physical computing equipment. For on-premises hardware, establish a way to identify every unit when it arrives; writing on boxes with a marker or attaching printed barcodes can both work. section 8.3.2

Record details while installing each unit, when they are easiest to verify:

  • Purchase and installation dates, plus the supplier’s full contact details. section 8.3.2
  • Configuration, including CPU, memory, disk, and free slots for upgrades. section 8.3.2
  • Expected service life and access details, including console availability, network, and where credentials are stored. section 8.3.2

Keeping these records makes hardware easier to manage and helps identify units due for preventive replacement. Documenting them at installation is easier than reconstructing their history years later. section 8.3.2

How Think Like a CTO covers it

How deep it goes
Specifies identification methods and record fields, but does not prescribe inventory software.
Examples
Contrasts marker labels with printed barcodes as ways to identify equipment.
What you can do after
Operate/configure it by recording each unit’s dates, supplier, configuration, expected life, and access details at installation.
How it connects
Connects hardware procurement, configuration, access details, and preventive maintenance.
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