A method for using inventory rules to identify devices of a computer network includes intercepting data traffic across one or more communication links of the computer network. The intercepted data traffic is analyzed to determine whether one or more of a plurality of inventory rules is satisfied by the intercepted data traffic. Each of the plurality of inventory rules comprises one or more conditions indicating the presence of a particular computer network device having a set of parameters. Each one of the plurality of inventory rules has a weighting factor value indicative of a priority of the application of a corresponding rule. The weighting factor value depends on previously identified devices. One or more devices of the computer network are identified using the weighting factor value of the one or more satisfied inventory rules.