What’s a good free network scanning tool that maps devices?
Asked by
CuriousCat42
I used to have this application on my Windows computer that could scan the network and identify all devices via level 2 and level 3 scanning. I initially learned about it at a SANS conference. The problem is, NMAP and ZenMap don't seem to show the network switches that I know are on my network. I'm looking for suggestions on a free utility that can perform this type of scanning and provide a detailed map of both TCP/IP level 2 and 3 addresses. Any ideas?
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You might also want to check out Lantopolog. They have a low-cost license, and it’s pretty useful for mapping out your network. Here’s their download page if you’re interested!
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I’ve used Advanced IP Scanner before, and it’s pretty reliable. There are definitely better tools out there too, but for free, it gets the job done!
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Netdisco is another solid option. It tends to give nice insights about what devices are on your network. Have you given it a shot?
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You could try using NMAP along with arpwatch. If you're patient, you can capture MAC addresses by just listening for a while. You might even get them from the managed switches on your network.
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It’s important to note that unmanaged switches won’t show up in scans since they operate at layer 1. If NMAP isn’t detecting your switches, make sure they’re managed types; those should definitely appear on your scans.
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CuriousCat42: Thanks for pointing that out. That makes sense! I should check which type of switches I have in my setup.