Network Scanner – Network Scanning Tool | SolarWinds

What is network scanning?

Network scanning is the process of gathering information about your computing environment to identify current users
and devices on a network, take inventory, and monitor device health.

Network scanning is performed either by a single network scanner or multiple networking scanning tools. The exact
procedures for network scanning depend on the network and its components. Admins may need to scan IPv4 or IPv6
networks, integrate with DHCP and DNS servers, and reach into cloud and virtual environments. A wireless network
scanner can also incorporate wireless access points and other wireless devices.

Network scanning is in part for understanding how IPs are used. It can be used to identify used IP addresses and
discover subnets, and discover IP address
conflicts. ICMP ping scans can typically help you view the IP addresses on a network, catch subnet capacity
issues, and resolve related issues. This type of IP address network scanning involves sending a single ping to all
the IP addresses within a certain range and then using another protocol to extract data from the device responding
to the ping.

Network scanning is also about understanding the devices on a network, which may require using the SNMP protocol.
SNMP can use object identifiers (OIDs) to identify particular devices, see how they’re used, and track their
health. This process involves a management information base (MIB) to help define network objects. 

What is the purpose of network scanning?

The purpose of network scanning is to get a comprehensive, IP-based view of your network to better ensure the network’s health and security. With a LAN scanner, admins can gain the baseline, current, and historical information they need to maintain their systems and protect the IT infrastructure.

The critical visibility into your network scanning software offers can be used for various purposes, including:

• Pinpointing operating systems in use by working backward from IP responses to pings
• Identifying UDP (User Diagram Protocol) and TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) services on select hosts
• Recognizing the filtering systems between users and targeted hosts
• Assessing TCP number sequence predictability to then estimate sequence attack probability and spoofing
• Catching the suspicious use of IP addresses to ensure your network remains secure

How is network scanning managed by IPAM?

SolarWinds IP Address Manager network scanning tool is designed to make monitoring your systems environment easier. Network scanning is an ongoing process that should be incorporated into network management best practices. However, trying to keep track of everything on your network manually can be a real hassle.

IPAM is built to automatically and continuously scan your network, including DHCP servers, IP addresses, and DNS servers. This can be done from a single intuitive interface—no more messy spreadsheets or cobbling together a functional network scanner from multiple tools. With this much visibility, it’s easier to pinpoint exactly what your network issues are and troubleshoot more efficiently. IPAM is also a wireless network scanner and is designed to integrate with the cloud and hybrid environments.

While IPAM is scanning your network, it’s generating real-time insights. Want to know the health status of a certain device? Do you need performance statistics to understand and map network topology? IPAM can help you do this and more.

What other features does IPAM have?

SolarWinds IP Address Manager is designed to help users more easily manage IP addresses using one tool.

IPAM is built to scan and collect details from the devices on your network and uses this data to find, track, and
monitor associated IPs, so you can more easily see which IPs are unavailable and which are in use, find scope
details, and manage IP reservations. All data and statistics are stored in the database for future use, which can
support auditing and GDPR compliance.

IPAM comes equipped with many useful tools, like the Automatic Subnet Discovery Wizard, to optimize your day-to-day
processes. Other key IPAM functionalities include:

• Creating, calculating, adding, and editing
  subnets
• IP Address Tracking Tool
• IP Address Scanning Tool
• IP Address Discovery