An advanced IP scanner can be an advanced tool to scan a range of IP address and it can be theoretic for advanced methods for scanning IPs. In this article, we will try to explain both. The theory of a scanner with a list of IP scanners that you can download and use.
Due to the nature of our discussion on this article, we are going to start with some explanation of common terms in related to IP scans. So, let’s start from the start.
What is IP address?
An IP address is a number, a 32-bit number. It contains 4 fields of 8-bit numbers, from 0 to 255 with dot as a separated. This is true for representing an IP v4. It can also be a 128-bit, alphanumeric string separated by a colon (:) for representing IP v6. You can probably ask yourself, why we have IPv4 and IPv6? This is due to the fact that in 32-bit the unique numbers of possible addresses are limited, and there are lots of devices connected to the internet. The need for more unique addresses developed in the form of IPv6.
If you think of your local address, in the place you are leaving now. An IP address is your virtual address over the internet. Using this address, information can be sent out of your device and the reply can be sent back into your device.
IPv4 – IPv6:
I run the ipconfig command line too on my windows 10 operating system and output of the command can show you the 2 types of IP address
IPv4 Will look like: 10.100.102.3
IPv6 will looks like: fe80::4889:2fb9:2338:bbb4%14
Here is a screen from the ipconfig command output:
Network Subnet:
The network subnet can refer to the number of IPs in a network. This can be set by a subnet mask. With a subnet mask, you can define the numbers of IP addresses in a network. The subnet mask can be represented in two ways. It can be something like 255.255.255.0 and it can be the IP address with a backslash (/) and a number like 10.100.102.3/24.
The idea is to create a separated network inside the organization more easily. Also, there is a different starting address for the inner IP address, inside the organization or home and Internet IP Address. Most of the inner IP addresses will start with 10.??.??.?? or 192.168.??.??. There is also another special address name APIPA – Automatic Private IP Addressing that assigns an address from 169.254. 0.0 to 169.254. 255.255 to the device if there is no DHCP and there was no manual IP address assign.
DHCP Server:
A DHCP server is a network server that can be configured to automatically assign IP addresses to every device that connected to that network. DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. It manages the IP addresses assigned on the network. From assign IP address to remove and renew them and it has more options.
What are ports?
I also wanted to talk about ports is related to IP address. If an IP address can be comparing to your physical home address, then ports are your house door and windows. Let’s start with a small example. When you open your favorite web browser and surf into one of your favorite websites. The connection using a default port for that. If the site uses a secure connection, HTTPS, the port will be 443 and if it does not use a secure connection, HTTP, the port is 80.
This means that every service that works on the internet needs to have an open port to listen for incoming connections. There are default ports assigned to known services. The IANA – Internet Assigned Numbers Authority is responsible for port number assign. On our front page you can see some default ports that assign to services.
List of Advanced IP scanner tools:
Here is a list of IP scanners and advanced IP scanners that you can find and download from the web. Most of them are free. Some works on one operating system like Windows, Linux, or Mac. Others can work on all of them. You can find this information on the tool website.
- Advanced IP scanner.
- Angry IP scanner.
- Nmap/zenmap.
- Free IP Scanner.
- SolarWinds IP Address Manager.
- Spiceworks IP scanner.
- Lizard System network scanner.
- Lansweeper IP Range Scanner.
- Lwaxx Lan Scan.
- Masscan.
- Zmap.
- Fping.
- Hping.
- Arp-scan.
- Umit Network Scanner.
How to develop an IP scanner:
So, what is it take to develop an IP scanner? It all depends on how deep you want to go. You can use a socket to build a scanner and you can use a higher library to craft one.
In general, you will have an IP or URL as the starting point. Once you have it you need to extract its subnet mask, to create a list of IP addresses. The next step is to ping each one of them to check if it is up or down. This can also be done by sending an arp command to the network. Now that you have all the answering IP addresses it is time to get information from each one of them. This information can be some, all, or more than the following:
- List of Open ports.
- Service that uses this port.
- Name of the device.
- Device MAC address.
- Web application.
From here, it is up to you where to take this tool. Some tools contain built-in scripts to detect more information, like the operation system. Other have a remote control option using RDP or other protocol.
Where to go next?
You can download one or more of the tools to try them on your local network. One of the benefits of using a tool like that, even on your home network, if the option to find the address of devices that does not belong to you, but using your network line. If you manage to find such. It is time to change your router or switch your password. I would also be recommending changing your PC password. Just in case.
If you are a developer, it can be a nice challenge to actually create an IP scanner tool. With the programing language that you know. Inform us, using the contact page, if you want us to give it a try, and maybe a post on our site with a link to your tool
Check out some other tools guides that we have on this website, like some good to know command-line tools. You can look at our free online and offline tools.
Some last words:
We have here a list of 15 Advanced Ip Scanner tools. Most of them are free to use and can be downloaded from the internet. Please note, that scanning without permission is illegal and can get you in trouble.
If you have another tool that you want to recommend us, please use the contact page to drop us a link and info. We will take a look on the tool and we might add it to the above list.
Hope you enjoy this article and if you have any question please contact us. If you can please share this article on your social network. This can help us.