Nmap
The Network Mapper - Free Security Scanner
Overview
Nmap (Network Mapper) is a foundational tool for network exploration, management, and security auditing. It uses raw IP packets in novel ways to determine what hosts are available on the network, what services (application name and version) those hosts are offering, what operating systems (and OS versions) they are running, what type of packet filters/firewalls are in use, and dozens of other characteristics.
✨ Key Features
- Host Discovery
- Port Scanning
- Service and Version Detection
- Operating System Detection
- Scriptable Interaction (Nmap Scripting Engine - NSE)
- Command-line and GUI (Zenmap) interfaces
🎯 Key Differentiators
- Flexibility and power of the Nmap Scripting Engine (NSE)
- Accuracy of its OS and service detection
- Large and active community
Unique Value: Provides a powerful, flexible, and free tool for network discovery and security auditing.
🎯 Use Cases (4)
✅ Best For
- Performing a port scan on a server to identify open ports and running services.
- Quickly discovering all live hosts on a local subnet.
💡 Check With Vendor
Verify these considerations match your specific requirements:
- Continuous, real-time performance monitoring.
- Creating a persistent CMDB or asset database (it's a point-in-time scanner).
🏆 Alternatives
Offers more advanced features, such as OS and service detection and scripting capabilities, compared to simpler port scanners.
💻 Platforms
✅ Offline Mode Available
🔌 Integrations
💰 Pricing
Free tier: Completely free and open source.
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