The usual run of comments from people not knowing what this does. ipconfig only shows your current IP configuration - it doesn't let you scan the network.

So, now we know what this program does - it scans your network for IP addresses and MAC addresses. What is the purpose of it? Is it useful for me? For the vast majority of users who just use their PCs for basic tasks, no. If you have a home network, while it may be useful in a "why isn't this working?" tinkering weekend, its not going to get used often.

If you have a wireless network, it can be surprising how quickly devices can attach themselves to it. Most people are getting tablets now, and laptops, WI consoles, smartphones - even fridges can be wireless so they can order your next carton of milk. They all connect and silently download, and its not until things start running slowly you realise how much traffic they're using and just how mnay devices you have.

Each device uses an 'IP address' which is a unique number identifying that equipment on your network. Each device also has a 'MAC address', which is a unique number identifying the actual network adapter - theoretically, each MAC address is unique, so a laptop would have a unique MAC address for both the LAN card and the Wireless card. IP addresses can change and are often dynamic, as they're normally only assigned on a network-by-network basis when needed. Armed with this information, you can identify what devices are connected to your network and some basic information about them - the manufacturer of the device, etc. Most routers allow you to block MAC addresses, so you can stop certain devices connecting.

Overall, this is a useful program to have tucked away, but its not going to get much use. Scanning a network is an interesting way to pass 5 minutes, but is much the same as working out how many cars are parked down the road - its not something you're going to want to do every evening.

Chris Locke  –  13 years ago  –  Βρήκατε αυτό το σχόλιο χρήσιμο? ναι | όχι (+326)

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# 1. Peter M

Still using the prehistoric Windows 98?? LOL....where do you live?

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As for today's giveaway to be honest I'm not particularly interested in such kind of programs since (unfortunately) I'm not a professional network administrator, but if you have a PC network and want to scan and manage information on every single workstation of it this software could be the right tool for you.

However, why pay 40 bucks for an app lik this GAOTD if you can do more or less the same things or even more for FREE using award-winning FREEWARE programs like these ones?

http://www.colasoft.com/capsa-free/
http://www.softperfect.com/products/networkscanner
http://www.softpedia.com/get/PORTABLE-SOFTWARE/Network/Portable-SoftPerfect-Network-Protocol-Analyzer.shtml
http://www.advanced-ip-scanner.com
http://www.paessler.com/prtg
http://www.eusing.com/ipscan/free_ip_scanner.htm
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Network-Tools/Network-Monitoring/CyD-NET-Utils.shtml
http://agatasoft.com/ping_utility.html
http://www.angryip.org/w/About

And to see who is really connected to your wifi connection:

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/wireless_network_watcher.html
http://www.zamzom.com/index-3.html
http://home.comcast.net/~jay.deboer/airsnare

Enjoy!!

giovanni  –  13 years ago  –  Βρήκατε αυτό το σχόλιο χρήσιμο? ναι | όχι (+69)

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Wireless Network Watcher (Nirsoft) does very much the same and it is FREE

ayubowan  –  13 years ago  –  Βρήκατε αυτό το σχόλιο χρήσιμο? ναι | όχι (+64)

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@#6 chris locke, thank you very for your post...it's very educational! honestly, i didn't understand all these things on networking until i've read from your post. keep up the good deed!

billd  –  13 years ago  –  Βρήκατε αυτό το σχόλιο χρήσιμο? ναι | όχι (+59)

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@8 krypto, iEverything devices and android phones look for wireless connections to attach to. An unsecured WiFi router is a magnet for them and they connect without human interaction. No need for human interaction of any kind, not even pressing a "connect" button.

wired  –  13 years ago  –  Βρήκατε αυτό το σχόλιο χρήσιμο? ναι | όχι (+45)

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