Computer networking has made great strides in allowing devices to communicate across long distances. You can even expect devices in remote areas to pass information smoothly and in a small-time frame.
Network scanners play a crucial role in computer networking.
They help you scan networks to find the active devices connected to it and maintain the security and performance by troubleshooting the network. But you can’t just trust any IP scanner in the market to meet your requirements and provide high-quality service.
This Is because different IP scanners execute unique operations. Most people get confused while choosing the best IP scanner that can fulfill their needs.
That’s a bummer because if you end up with an IP scanner that provides incorrect information about the ports and their openness, then you’ll never achieve the desired results.
In this article, we’ll discuss the best IP scanners for network administrators you can use to get the best results.
Best IP Scanner Tools
- OpUtils
- Nmap
- Angry Ip Scanner
- Solarwinds IP Address Manager
- Spiceworks IP Scanner
- Free IP Scanner 3.3
- PRTG Network Monitor
- Wireshark Lan Scanner
- Lapsweeper IP Scanner
- Slitheris Network
1. OpUtils — Best IP and Port Scanners
OpUtils is an IP and port scanner from ManageEngine that offers a plethora of features, including a switch port Management software.
You can use OpUtils to scan IP addresses to find the devices using the IPs and hence find the unknown devices to protect the network.
The port scanner feature helps determine the openness of ports and tells you the communication the port allows through itself.
Another advantage of using OpUtils is that you can monitor bandwidth and set up notifications. Hence, next time your network faces a critical issue, you’ll get a notification.
2. Nmap — Best Free Network Mapper tool
If you are on a budget and not willing to pay a premium for a network scanner, then, the Nmap tool is the best choice you have.
This Is because it provides high-quality service by scanning the network. You get information like the device connected to the network and other device-specific details.
The best feature of using the network mapper tool is that it lets you scan networks on a large scale. Hence, you don’t have to worry about scanning a few networks first and then moving to the second batch.
The Nmap tool helps you discover unknown devices and perform a security audit.
As it’s an open-source tool that supports large-scale scanning, you need to specify the IP range else the tool will scan all the IPs, which takes a long time.
You need to put in a few hours to learn because the Nmap tool has some excellent features.
3. Angry Ip Scanner — Best Network Scanning Tools
Angry IP Scanner aka Ipscan has support for Port and IP scanning. It’s one of the best network scanning tools in the market that lets you make an all-round audit of networks. You can also export the results in many file formats.
There are two distinct sides to this tool. One side is that it offers an easy-to-understand interface, which helps you get started easily.
The other side is that you also get some advanced features that requires a few hours of learning. Hence, you can use the tool as you like it.
Angry IP scanner is a free tool that works on popular operating systems like Windows, Mac, and Linux.
4. Solarwinds IP Address Manager
The Solarwinds IP address manager is an automatic scanning tool that manages your networks and helps prevent costly errors.
It also comes with a plethora of features like IP tracking, hybrid DNS management, infoblox integration, subnet discovery and more.
Now, most people stay away from this tool because it was initially meant for industrial clients, but you can use it smoothly.
You can also set up alerts to get a notification whenever there’s an IP conflict. You can manage your network flawlessly with the SolarWinds IP address manager.
5. Spiceworks IP Scanner
Spiceworks IP Scanner is a community tool that’s simple to use. You can use it to find active devices in a network easily.
This tool provides many device details like the operating system, MAC address, which ports of the devices are open and more. The only detail you need to specify is the IP range, you want the scanner to scan.
You can use the Spiceworks IP Scanner for Windows and MAC devices.
6. Free IP Scanner 3.3
The best feature of the Free IP Scanner 3.3 is that the tool is super simple to use. If you don’t have any experience in this niche, then Free IP Scanner is the tool for you because you can use it smoothly.
It’s a basic IP scanning tool that offers an excellent multithreaded and fast scanning experience. It also supports NetBIOS.
So, how does it work?
The Free IP Scanner 3.3 sends pings to devices operating in an IP range and records the response to decode whether the devices are open.
7. PRTG Network Monitor
PRTG Network Monitor is a professional network scanner that offers two tools. The first tool helps you scan the network and find the active devices and open ports on them. The second tool is a visualisation tool that helps you understand the reports of the scan.
You also get the feature to analyse traffic using packet sniffing.
Another advantage of using this tool is that it scans all the devices in the network and applications in your IT infrastructure. When you sign up, you get to use the PRTG Network Monitor free for 30 days before paying.
8. Wireshark Lan Scanner
Wireshark Lan Scanner is a mammoth of a tool that offers a plethora of features to their users.
It’s one of the most widely used scanners in the market and serves its customers by combining the features of many tools.
You can not only use it to determine the active devices in the network and check which ports are open.
But also get to use tools like the packet sniffer, Network Instruments Observer, NetScreen snoop, Novell LANalyzer, RADCOM, WAN/LAN Analyser, Shomiti/Finisar Surveyor and Tektronix K12xx, and more.
9. Lapsweeper IP Scanner
The Lapsweeper IP Scanner stands out among its competitors because of the excellent features it offers. For instance, it supports scheduled scanning of networks. You can even split one network into subnets if you are scanning an extensive network.
Other features include excluding devices based on IP types, importing the entire network setup, grouping computers in the same IP locations and tracking IP usage in the network.
The Lapsweeper IP Scanner is one of the top scanners in the market.
10. Slitheris Network
The Slitheris Network Discovery is a premium IP tool that supports visual ping sweep, credential-free, Windows detections and fingerprinting.
You can use the Slitheris Network Scanner only on Windows devices. It’s a paid tool, but for home users and small businesses with up to 50 devices, it’s free. This means you can scan unto 50 devices for free, then you need to pay.
FAQs About Network IP Scanners
Now, let’s discuss a few FAQs about Network IP Scanners.
What is the Difference Between IP Scanners and Port Scanners?
People often get confused between IP scanners and port scanners. They aren’t the same things. An IP scanner helps you find the active devices connected to a network.
It also gives you valuable information about the devices like the operating systems, MAC addresses, etc. Port scanners help you find the openness of a port.
A device has multiple ports, but only a few of them allow the passage of communication. Hence, it’s crucial to know which ports are open. That’s what port scanners help you with.
They ping ports and record the responses to check whether the ports are open.
Is the Use of IP Scanners Illegal?
Using IP scanners isn’t illegal. There’s no law that considers the use of IP scanners as illegal. But there are things you need to take care of. For instance, you can’t just go on scanning any network you want. This Is because if you don’t have the permission to access someone’s network, they could sue you.
Are Free Network IP Scanners Effective?
The answer to this question depends entirely on your requirements. You can easily find many free IP scanners on the market that offer excellent scanning services and do the job just fine.
But if there’s a particular feature that you need in your strategy. Then paid IP scanners are the best. This Is because paid scanners offer a plethora of features and make the scanning process super simple.
Hence, free network IP scanners are effective, but the best one for you depends on your requirements.
Conclusion
There you have it.
Now, you know the 10 best IP scanners for network administrators.
These IP scanners offer many useful features and excellent value for money.
They are also super simple to use and help you stay at the top of your game.
