topic Re: Command line args and a new process entity ID in Open Q&A

Command line args and a new process entity ID

Babar_Qayyum — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 05:59:03 GMT

Dear All,

Will changing the command line arguments result in the generation of a new process entity ID? OR

What are some other potential factors that could lead to the generation of new entity IDs for the IIS processes?

Regards,

Babar Qayyum

Re: Command line args and a new process entity ID

sujit_k_singh — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 22:24:12 GMT

Hi @Babar_Qayyum

It depends on your detection rules command line changes don't automatically create a new process entity ID, but they can if a rule is keyed off "Command line" or "Command line – single argument" (matches each arg individually).

To confirm for your process: check OneAgent logs right after process start they show exactly which items fed into the process group ID calculation.

Thanks,

Sujit

Re: Command line args and a new process entity ID

Babar_Qayyum — Mon, 07 Sep 2026 06:51:52 GMT

Hello @sujit_k_singh

I appreciate your feedback. Currently, there are no custom rules established, and the detection relies on out-of-the-box (OOB) rules. This reference is associated with "Command line" or "Command line – single argument"; could you clarify which area this pertains to? Is it on the Dynatrace side or the application side?

Regards,

Babar Qayyum

Re: Command line args and a new process entity ID

sujit_k_singh — Mon, 07 Sep 2026 22:29:15 GMT

Hi @Babar_Qayyum

The "Command line" and "Command line – single argument" properties I mentioned are on the Dynatrace side and are available when defining custom Process Grouping Rules, screenshot below

let me add some insight about these two

1. Command line changes and entity IDs
This only affects process entity IDs if a custom Process grouping rule is defined under "Command line". Since you have no custom grouping rules and rely purely on OOB detection, command-line changes alone should not generate a new process entity ID for your IIS processes.

2. Where "Command line – single argument" actually appears
This property exists as a detection rule condition (under "2. Define detection rules"), not as an ID-source property. It's used to decide which processes a rule applies to, not how the process group ID is calculated. Under the ID-source section (3.1.2 Property), only plain "Command line" is available as an option.

To determine the exact cause in your environment, I'd recommend check the OneAgent log right after the IIS process (re)starts it shows exactly which inputs were used to calculate the process group ID for your process. This is the most reliable way to pinpoint the cause.

Thanks,

Sujit