Whenever the computer connects to the internet, it certainly connects to a LAN as well.
A LAN or WAN (if it is wireless) is a subnet of computers connected to each other by the same router, which have a different IP address within the network, but come out on the internet with the same assigned IP address.
Computers and smartphones in a LAN can see each other, exchange data and files, share folders and resources such as the printer, a network disk, the Chromecast or any other device connected to the router.
As seen in another article, once connected in a network via a computer or even a smartphone, it is almost easy to enter a PC that is in the same LAN .
For example, those in the office can try to find out which computers are connected to the network and, in some cases, go into them, spy on files, use shared folders, etc.
This can also happen at home, if there are multiple computers and devices connected, to have a complete view of those who use the network, both wifi and wired, find any intrusions and check the type of connected computer.
On PCs on the network it will also be possible to check shared resources, if they are not password protected.
In this article we see the best free programs (some free only on trial) that scan a network and allow you to launch commands and perform checks on computers or other devices (cell phones, consoles, TV) found.
These programs are especially useful to network administrators because they allow you to find connected computers and launch remote commands .
READ ALSO: Protect the wireless network from intrusion, eavesdropping and espionage
Scanning a computer network means checking who is connected to all the IP addresses of the same subnet (subnet).
For example, if the computer used had IP address 192.168.2.3, then you can scan the range of addresses from 192.168.2.1 to 192.168.2.255 and see who is directly connected to the PC.
If desired, in some cases (such as a corporate network), a scan from the IP address 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.255.255 could also be attempted.
Even without understanding too much of these concepts, there are programs that scan the network for computers, open ports and other information .
To deepen, however, we have written several guides on networks, so you know:
- Because home computers have IP addresses of type 192.168.XX
- How we connect to the internet and why with the same Public IP
- Find the IP address of the home router.
1) Fing is a great application for detecting all devices connected to the network, whether they are routers, printers, PCs, cell phones, smartphones etc.
You can therefore check these devices and know all their network parameters, active protocols, open ports, MAC Address etc.
Fing is also downloadable as a free app for iPhone and Android.
2) Nmap is a more complex and expert open source tool for Windows Linux and Mac.
It scans a network, draws the network map and provides all the information on the connected devices: ports, operating system, model, IP address, Mac address and much more.
NMap analyzes all TCP and UDP ports on all computers connected to the network, performs follow-up tests on open ports discovered.
To have a graphical interface, easier to use, you must download ZenMap .
3) Free IP Scanner is a Windows PC program capable of scanning hundreds of computers per second, showing NetBIOS information such as hostname, workgroup, etc.
4) Angry IP Scanner is a very popular open source program for Windows, Linux and Mac .
It allows scanning for hosts on a LAN or WAN, in a specific range of IP addresses and scanning for ports.
You can also select a host name to search for more detailed information on a specific device.
It also allows you to run some network commands, ping, telnet and other things.
The only flaw is that in order to work it requires having Java installed on a PC.
5) Spiceworks IP Scanner (free on trial) automatically detects devices in the LAN (local network) and is available for Windows, OSX, Linux.
You can quickly discover all the devices connected to the network to make an inventory or discover vulnerabilities.
6) Network Scanner (full trial version only) of Lizard System allows you to analyze your home or business network with a multi-thread scanning technique that allows you to detect thousands of devices connected to the network in a minute.
It is a free software that however requires registration and is aimed at large companies, small businesses and private users.
The main purpose of this application is to search for computers in any range of IP addresses and find them on both LAN and WAN networks.
It is not a tool that only allows you to view the list of computers but it is full of advanced functions, such as the ability to control shared folders and devices, control access rights (read / write), the ability to open and connect units, and much more.
To start, you need to add an IP range or choose the one suggested from the drop-down menu (therefore useful for the most inexperienced).
In addition to network scanning it has the ability to scan FTP servers and webservers.
The results can be exported in HTML, TXT or XML format.
7) Advanced IP Scanner is one of the popular scanners downloaded more than 30 million times, which allows you to scan the LAN in one minute.
Through this very easy-to-use tool it is possible to discover network shares, availability to remote control via RDP, detection of the MAC address, time of connection to the server and also use the Wake-On-LAN function or power on the computer remotely.
Scanning can be started by defining a range of IP addresses.
8) IP Scanner is able to scan your network and provide information on devices connected to the network.
You can schedule a network scan or run it whenever you want to inventory all the devices connected to the LAN or Wifi network, also giving details on the type of computer, the operating system and the programs running.
9) SoftPerfect Network Scanner is a complete (trial) solution for network scanning to extract information on connected nodes and has the ability to perform network operations remotely.
Although it has some complex options and features that are beyond the reach of an average user, the interface is very simple for both amateurs and system administrators.
You can start by defining a range of IP addresses to start the generic scan process.
It is possible to access all shared folders, including hidden files.
The columns show information such as host name, MAC address, Open ports, SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol), the version of Windows.
It also supports Wake-on-lan to turn off and on PCs remotely.
For each PC found on the network, you can attempt direct access to the remote desktop or open shared folders.
10) MiTeC Network Scanner is an advanced multi-threaded IP, NetBIOS and SNMP scanner which includes a well organized interface and powerful tools aimed at network administrators.
The scanning process is rather quick and you can immediately read information such as DNS name, NetBIOS names, MAC addresses, shared resources, services, permissions, TCP and UDP ports, operating system, CPU and description.
MiTeC Network Scanner is typically a resource-oriented software solution that works perfectly on all versions of Windows, without even asking for administrator privileges on Windows.
From the right mouse button menu you can open the shared folder, run a Telnet or enter the PC with Windows Explorer.
11) Net Scan is a LAN scanner that displays all active nodes and systems connected to the network providing some useful information such as, for example, user name, MAC address, IP and HTTP server.
12) If you want a network packet capture tool that provides general statistics then I recommend the NetWalk program I have already talked about.
READ ALSO: Wifi network scanner app for Android
A LAN or WAN (if it is wireless) is a subnet of computers connected to each other by the same router, which have a different IP address within the network, but come out on the internet with the same assigned IP address.
Computers and smartphones in a LAN can see each other, exchange data and files, share folders and resources such as the printer, a network disk, the Chromecast or any other device connected to the router.
As seen in another article, once connected in a network via a computer or even a smartphone, it is almost easy to enter a PC that is in the same LAN .
For example, those in the office can try to find out which computers are connected to the network and, in some cases, go into them, spy on files, use shared folders, etc.
This can also happen at home, if there are multiple computers and devices connected, to have a complete view of those who use the network, both wifi and wired, find any intrusions and check the type of connected computer.
On PCs on the network it will also be possible to check shared resources, if they are not password protected.
In this article we see the best free programs (some free only on trial) that scan a network and allow you to launch commands and perform checks on computers or other devices (cell phones, consoles, TV) found.
These programs are especially useful to network administrators because they allow you to find connected computers and launch remote commands .
READ ALSO: Protect the wireless network from intrusion, eavesdropping and espionage
Scanning a computer network means checking who is connected to all the IP addresses of the same subnet (subnet).
For example, if the computer used had IP address 192.168.2.3, then you can scan the range of addresses from 192.168.2.1 to 192.168.2.255 and see who is directly connected to the PC.
If desired, in some cases (such as a corporate network), a scan from the IP address 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.255.255 could also be attempted.
Even without understanding too much of these concepts, there are programs that scan the network for computers, open ports and other information .
To deepen, however, we have written several guides on networks, so you know:
- Because home computers have IP addresses of type 192.168.XX
- How we connect to the internet and why with the same Public IP
- Find the IP address of the home router.
1) Fing is a great application for detecting all devices connected to the network, whether they are routers, printers, PCs, cell phones, smartphones etc.
You can therefore check these devices and know all their network parameters, active protocols, open ports, MAC Address etc.
Fing is also downloadable as a free app for iPhone and Android.
2) Nmap is a more complex and expert open source tool for Windows Linux and Mac.
It scans a network, draws the network map and provides all the information on the connected devices: ports, operating system, model, IP address, Mac address and much more.
NMap analyzes all TCP and UDP ports on all computers connected to the network, performs follow-up tests on open ports discovered.
To have a graphical interface, easier to use, you must download ZenMap .
3) Free IP Scanner is a Windows PC program capable of scanning hundreds of computers per second, showing NetBIOS information such as hostname, workgroup, etc.
4) Angry IP Scanner is a very popular open source program for Windows, Linux and Mac .
It allows scanning for hosts on a LAN or WAN, in a specific range of IP addresses and scanning for ports.
You can also select a host name to search for more detailed information on a specific device.
It also allows you to run some network commands, ping, telnet and other things.
The only flaw is that in order to work it requires having Java installed on a PC.
5) Spiceworks IP Scanner (free on trial) automatically detects devices in the LAN (local network) and is available for Windows, OSX, Linux.
You can quickly discover all the devices connected to the network to make an inventory or discover vulnerabilities.
6) Network Scanner (full trial version only) of Lizard System allows you to analyze your home or business network with a multi-thread scanning technique that allows you to detect thousands of devices connected to the network in a minute.
It is a free software that however requires registration and is aimed at large companies, small businesses and private users.
The main purpose of this application is to search for computers in any range of IP addresses and find them on both LAN and WAN networks.
It is not a tool that only allows you to view the list of computers but it is full of advanced functions, such as the ability to control shared folders and devices, control access rights (read / write), the ability to open and connect units, and much more.
To start, you need to add an IP range or choose the one suggested from the drop-down menu (therefore useful for the most inexperienced).
In addition to network scanning it has the ability to scan FTP servers and webservers.
The results can be exported in HTML, TXT or XML format.
7) Advanced IP Scanner is one of the popular scanners downloaded more than 30 million times, which allows you to scan the LAN in one minute.
Through this very easy-to-use tool it is possible to discover network shares, availability to remote control via RDP, detection of the MAC address, time of connection to the server and also use the Wake-On-LAN function or power on the computer remotely.
Scanning can be started by defining a range of IP addresses.
8) IP Scanner is able to scan your network and provide information on devices connected to the network.
You can schedule a network scan or run it whenever you want to inventory all the devices connected to the LAN or Wifi network, also giving details on the type of computer, the operating system and the programs running.
9) SoftPerfect Network Scanner is a complete (trial) solution for network scanning to extract information on connected nodes and has the ability to perform network operations remotely.
Although it has some complex options and features that are beyond the reach of an average user, the interface is very simple for both amateurs and system administrators.
You can start by defining a range of IP addresses to start the generic scan process.
It is possible to access all shared folders, including hidden files.
The columns show information such as host name, MAC address, Open ports, SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol), the version of Windows.
It also supports Wake-on-lan to turn off and on PCs remotely.
For each PC found on the network, you can attempt direct access to the remote desktop or open shared folders.
10) MiTeC Network Scanner is an advanced multi-threaded IP, NetBIOS and SNMP scanner which includes a well organized interface and powerful tools aimed at network administrators.
The scanning process is rather quick and you can immediately read information such as DNS name, NetBIOS names, MAC addresses, shared resources, services, permissions, TCP and UDP ports, operating system, CPU and description.
MiTeC Network Scanner is typically a resource-oriented software solution that works perfectly on all versions of Windows, without even asking for administrator privileges on Windows.
From the right mouse button menu you can open the shared folder, run a Telnet or enter the PC with Windows Explorer.
11) Net Scan is a LAN scanner that displays all active nodes and systems connected to the network providing some useful information such as, for example, user name, MAC address, IP and HTTP server.
12) If you want a network packet capture tool that provides general statistics then I recommend the NetWalk program I have already talked about.
READ ALSO: Wifi network scanner app for Android
