• Test for open TCP ports
• Eliminate security risks by identifying open ports

What is a port scan and why do you need to scan your ports?

A port scan in the hands of a hacker is like someone going from house to house testing each door and window looking for a way to gain access. A port scan in the hands of a network engineer is like a night watchman making his rounds to ensure everything is locked and secure. Open computer ports expose your network to potential malicious attacks by hackers, worms and Trojans. A port scan application can show you which doors (ports) are locked securely and which are exposed.

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SolarWinds Port Scanner scans your organization’s computers looking for open ports. Programs use ports to communicate with the outside world and with other network devices. Different programs use different ports and sometimes leave the ports open after use. In fact, a computer can have more than 65,000 ports.

Many viruses have built-in port scan utilities that are used to gain access to your computer and your company’s assets. Hackers also use port scans to probe the security of computers connected to the Internet. By monitoring the ports on your computer with a port scan application, you can determine which ports are open and which are closed – what is secure and what is at risk. A routine scan of open ports on your network will allow you take control and minimize your exposure to hackers, worms and Trojans. Every network engineer should have a good port scanner application.

Customizable Port Scan

The SolarWinds Port Scanner remotely discovers the status of TCP ports on devices. You can specify a range of IP addresses to include in the port scan, and then scan on several standard port ranges or a custom port selection that you define. Common port names are included with the program and you can also add custom service names.

After running a port scan, the Port Scanner tool allows you to transfer scan results to other tools through exporting and copy and paste capabilities. You can also print discovered information.

Key Features of the SolarWinds Port Scanner

• Performs extremely fast port scan discovery of port status across a range of IP addresses
• Discovers and color codes port status as: open, closed, no reply, or in error
• Enables selection of common ports to scan or selection from over a thousand preloaded ports, so that you can  create you own custom port scan
• Exports port scan results to Microsoft® Excel®, XML, Adobe® PDF, or HTML
• Discovers and displays non-responding nodes
• Performs dynamic DNS lookup for each device during port scan

"I would not trade SolarWinds for the world. I will continually sing its praises to the masses."

— Kevin Harrison, Bedford County Public Schools