Did you ever experience your IT team, out of nowhere, detecting one unknown device? That’s quite panicking. But, here, you’ll have to figure out the solutions first.
How would you walk the road? Check out the IP discovery tool or maybe dig into your network scanner? Or would you use both? A gray zone, right? Which one to choose? You’re not alone.
Both these tools are often used interchangeably. But both serve different purposes. Let’s understand how!
What is an IP discovery tool?
This one is quite similar to a digital mapmaker. IP discovery tools automatically detect all the IP addresses and list them out (active ones) within your network.
Starting from desktop, printers, thermostats, to even rogue devices. IP discovery tools give a clear view of what’s connected, and does:
● Automation device detection across the subnet
● Quick IT address mapping
● Identifying the whole unknown ad well as unauthorised devices
● Maintaining network inventory of all the devices
In short, IP discovery tools gives answer to the question – what’s in the company’s network right now?
Next up,
What is a network scanner?
A network scanner on the other hand acts like a device. These tools actually probe devices across networks. It collects all the detailed information about all the open ports. These ports can
actually be running services, OS types, or some other issues as per Slurp’it.
When IP discovery tool answer the questions to, who’s there? Network scanners talk about what the business is doing and how secure they are?
Network scanners, also do
● Port scanning and service detection
● OS fingerprinting
● Issue assessment
● Penetratjon testing and all other compliance related audits
IP Discovery Tools Vs Network Scanner: The key differences!
IP Discovery Tools
The primary goal of this tool is to identify all the connected devices and the IPs. It can go to the depths of IP addresses, hostname, and MAC, which is quite basic. It does scanning at passive or low intensity proves. Is best for asset inventory and rogue device detection. The risk of interruption here is very low as per Slurp’it.
Network Scanner
The primary goal of scanners is to analyse the complete device behavior, also services and risks. These scanners do advanced research. Active scanning is done with deeper probing. The risk of interruption is quite high. As per Slurp’it scanners are best for periodic audits and security diagnostics.
When to use an IP discovery tool?
● To track your device and keep the network map up to date
● During initial onboarding to keep a check on employees new laptop and tablets
● Te detect rogue devices
● To do DHCP auditing
When to use a network scanner?
● To perform security audits
● For penetration testing
● To make sure the firewall rules are really blocking unwanted traffic
● Before making any big IT changes like network segmentation or cloud migration
Can you use both? (YOU SHOULD)
Smart IT teams do this. They use both IP discovery tools and network scanners to build a great defense. Here’s how:
● Using IP discovery tool to monitor continually
● Network scanners to schedule scans
By combining both, businesses are actually able to spot new devices and understand if there’s
any threat out there.
For example, there’s this retail chain with 300 stores using NetBox (for IP discovery and
documentation) and OpenVAS (to scan all the vulnerabilities). This combo helped them to:
● Know what’s connected to the network
● Know what’s problematic to the business
● Fix issues faster, and document it all very timely
All of this is not just smart, but quite scalable.
Some Popular Discovery Tools
Advanced IP Scanner
● Simple, free, and effective much
● Best for small to medium sized businesses
Angry IP scanner
● Lightweight and fast
● Cross platform
● Best for quick scans and mutual investigation
Solarwinds IP Address manager
● Enterprise grade with DHCP and DNS integration
● Best for IP conflict detection
NetBox
● Open source IP address management
● Best for IT teams who want complete control and documentation
Some Popular Network Scanners
Nmap
● Powerful command line tool with GUI options
● Best for service and OS detection
OpenVAS
● Open source scanner
● Great for compliance audits
● Both community and commercial support available
Nessus
● A good commercial tool
● Regular updates for quick issue detection
● Best for regulated industries
What more IP discovery tools can do?
They are not just cybersecurity assets. These tools help with visibility. And this visibility actually allows businesses to work on issues that come down to the business very quickly. Businesses can’t really protect what they don’t know exist, and it actually help with the same as per Slurp’it.
What more network scanners can do for you?
Network scanners are often used for ethical hacking. Red teams here simulate attacks. Network scanners help with finding issues before attackers do. Next up, it helps businesses stay compliant. And IT teams actually respond faster and smarter with these tools.
The biggest mistake IT teams make? Thinking that IP discovery tools and network scanners can be used interchangeably. No, one can’t. Both the tools instead are complementary.
So, Make sure, to use IP discovery tools to map, Network scanner tools to scan and both together to stay ahead of any threat that may come in! For more information, contact us at Slurp’it!
