> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://support.entegrata.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Overview

> Understand how Entegrata discovers and tracks your data sources

## Overview

Discovery is Entegrata's automated process for scanning data sources to find available resources and tracking their schemas.

## How Discovery Works

When discovery runs, Entegrata:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Connect to Data Source">
    Establishes a connection using your saved credentials
  </Step>

  <Step title="Scan for Resources">
    Queries the data source for all available resources:

    * Database: Tables and views in accessible schemas
    * API: Available endpoints and objects
    * File System: Files and sheets in accessible locations
  </Step>

  <Step title="Analyze Schema">
    For each resource, Entegrata examines:

    * Field names and data types
    * Primary keys and constraints
    * Relationships and hierarchies
    * Metadata and annotations
  </Step>

  <Step title="Detect Changes">
    Compares current schema with previously discovered schema to identify:

    * New resources added
    * Resources removed
    * Schema changes (fields added, removed, or modified)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Update Catalog">
    Updates Entegrata's catalog with the latest resource information
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Discovery Schedule

### Automatic Discovery

Discovery runs **automatically every 3 hours** for all active connections.

<Info>
  Automatic discovery ensures your catalog stays current with source system changes without manual intervention.
</Info>

### Manual Discovery

You can trigger discovery immediately when you need to:

* Check for new resources right after adding them to the source
* Refresh schema after making changes in the source system
* Troubleshoot collection issues that may be schema-related
* Verify connectivity after updating credentials

## Discovery Results

### Last Discovered Timestamp

The Resources page displays when discovery last ran:

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/entegrata/d4pzv5m2aXdjP4mx/data/collector/discovery/images/last-discovered-timestamp.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=d4pzv5m2aXdjP4mx&q=85&s=16b88d1ebb4fb73673d45b67b586e668" alt="Last discovered timestamp" style={{ width:"100%" }} width="2176" height="20" data-path="data/collector/discovery/images/last-discovered-timestamp.png" />
</Frame>

This timestamp helps you know how current your catalog is.

### New Resources

When discovery finds new resources in your data source, they automatically appear in the Resources list:

* **Default state**: Inactive (not collecting)
* **Default settings**: Inherit connection-level configuration
* **Ready to configure**: Enable and configure collection settings as needed

<Tip>
  After discovery finds new resources, review and enable the ones you want to collect. New resources don't collect automatically.
</Tip>

### Removed Resources

If discovery detects that a resource no longer exists in the source system:

* Resource is marked as **Removed** or **Deleted**
* Collection automatically stops
* Historical data remains in your data lakehouse
* Configuration is preserved in case the resource returns

<Note>
  If a resource was accidentally deleted from the source and later restored, re-enabling it in Entegrata will resume collection with existing settings.
</Note>

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Manual Discovery" icon="table" href="/data/collector/discovery/manual-discovery">
    Manually trigger discovery immediately when you need to
  </Card>

  <Card title="Schema Changes" icon="chart-line" href="/data/collector/discovery/schema-changes">
    Track discovery job status and schema changes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>