nmap (Network Mapper) is a powerful open-source tool for network discovery and security auditing. It’s essential for network administrators and security professionals.
The name directly reflects its primary purpose: mapping networks.
While it comes pre-installed on many Linux distributions, it can be installed on any major operating system. Here are some basic examples:
Basic scan of a host:
nmap 192.168.1.1
Scan specific ports:
nmap -p 80,443 192.168.1.1
Scan a network range:
nmap 192.168.1.0/24
OS detection:
nmap -O 192.168.1.1
Service version detection:
nmap -sV 192.168.1.1
Learn more: nmap.org