Help CenterAtera's Network Discovery feature offers a comprehensive security scan and a comprehensive overview of all end-user networks and devices. It continuously updates itself to provide an up-to-date and complete view of the network environment. With the Network Discovery software add-on, you can easily monitor and track all digital assets and open ports within the networks you manage, regardless of network firewalls.
Frequently asked questions
This section will cover the frequently asked questions regarding Network Discovery.
Q: What is Network Discovery?
A: Atera's Network Discovery feature is designed to identify and catalog all devices connected to a network, whether they are connected via WiFi or Ethernet. By scanning the entire network, it gathers information about the network components and creates a comprehensive inventory.
Q: How much does Network Discovery cost?
A: Network Discovery is a paid add-on developed in-house by the Atera development team. The pricing for Network Discovery can be found on our pricing page.
Q: How can I activate Network Discovery?
A: To activate Network Discovery, please refer to our article for detailed instructions on the activation process.
Q: How does Network Discovery function?
A: Network Discovery operates by employing a scanning agent to scan your network. This agent scans for devices on your network. Once the scan is completed and devices are detected, you can proceed to install the Atera agent on Windows devices. Additionally, Network Discovery enables you to add SNMP devices such as printers, scanners, routers, and UPS units to your Atera instance for monitoring and management purposes.
Q: Can I install the Atera agent on all devices discovered by Network Discovery?
A: Yes, it is possible to install the Atera agent on devices discovered by Network Discovery, but there are some limitations. The agent installation module is compatible only with Windows devices that are part of the domain. Currently, it is not possible to install the Atera agent on Mac or Linux devices that are found on the network. Additionally, the Network Discovery Workgroup scan does not have the capability to install the agent on discovered devices, even if they are running on the Windows operating system.
Q: Which devices can be used as a scanning agent for Network Discovery?
A: Network Discovery scanning can be performed using a Windows agent. It is not possible at the moment to run a Network Discovery scan on Mac and Linux devices.
Q: What types of networks are compatible with Network Discovery?
A: Network Discovery is compatible with both Workgroup and Domain networks. However, it does not support scanning of Azure Active Directory instances or other cloud environments.
Q: How does the scan for Workgroups work?
A: The Network Discovery feature utilizes NMAP to scan your Workgroup network and identify devices that are part of your network. By leveraging NMAP, Network Discovery can effectively discover and catalog devices within your Workgroup network.
Q: What is NMAP?
A: NMAP is a network scanning tool used to discover hosts and services on a computer network. It works by sending packets and analyzing the responses received from the network devices. For more detailed information about NMAP and its role in Network Discovery, I recommend referring to our article, which provides comprehensive insights into NMAP and its integration with the Network Discovery feature
Q: Do I need to manually install NMAP on my scanning agent for it to work?
A: No, you do not need to manually install NMAP on your scanning agent. When you initiate a network scan using Network Discovery, the installation of Nmap OEM and Npcap OEM will be automatically handled for you. This installation occurs on the scanning agent itself. It's important to note that devices discovered during the Network Discovery scan will not have Nmap or Npcap installed on them.
Q: How does the scan for a Domain network work?
A: The scan for a Domain network in the Network Discovery feature utilizes a domain controller to identify devices that are part of the domain. Additionally, it identifies devices that are connected to the same network as the domain controller. In addition to the domain-specific scan, Network Discovery also leverages NMAP to find devices that are not part of the domain but are present on the same network as the scanning agent. This comprehensive approach ensures that both domain and non-domain devices are discovered during the scan.
Q: How can I initiate a Network Discovery scan?
A: To learn how to initiate a Network Discovery scan, please refer to the articles provided below. These resources will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to perform a Network Discovery scan and make the most out of this feature.
Q: Is it possible to automate scheduled Network Discovery scans?
A: Yes, you have the capability to schedule Network Discovery scans to run automatically on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.
Q: Is it feasible to establish multiple schedules for Network Discovery within a single day?
A: No, Network Discovery scans can be scheduled only once per day, and multiple schedules within a day are not supported.
Q: What information can I access once the Network Discovery scan is completed?
A: After completing a Network Discovery scan, you can access the following information about the discovered devices:
- For Windows, Mac, and Linux devices, the information includes the device name, round-trip time (RTT), device type, IP address, MAC address, manufacturer, operating system (OS) platform, OS information, and OS age.
- For SNMP devices, the information includes device name, status, device type, IP address, MAC address, manufacturer, device model, serial number, and description.
We recommend referring to our article for a comprehensive overview of all the details provided by Network Discovery
Q: What actions can I take once the Network Discovery scan is completed?
A: Once the Network Discovery scan is completed, there are several actions you can take. These include:
- Installing the Atera agent on devices that are part of a domain.
- Adding SNMP devices discovered by Network Discovery to Atera for monitoring and management.
- Exporting the list of discovered devices to an Excel file for further analysis or documentation.
For a comprehensive overview of all the details and actions provided by Network Discovery please refer to the below article which will provide you with detailed insights and guidance on how to make the most out of this feature.
Q: Does Network Discovery provide details about the device's storage?
A: Yes, Network Discovery provides you with details about the storage of discovered devices. These details include the disk type, manufacturer, model, disk usage (in GB) out of the total capacity, disk usage percentage, partitions, media type, interface type, number of bad sectors, disk age, and serial number. This information allows you to have insights into the storage configuration and health of the devices found during the Network Discovery scan. For more detailed information about the storage details provided by Network Discovery, please refer to the article below.
Q: Does Network Discovery provide security details about the scanned network?
A: Yes, Atera's Network Discovery feature offers comprehensive security details about the scanned network. It allows you to scan for open ports on your customers' networks, helping you identify potential security vulnerabilities. Additionally, Network Discovery provides a list of all Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) found on the network, providing valuable insights for assessing and addressing security risks. For more information, please refer to the article provided below.
Q: Can I configure alerts for Network Discovery?
A: Yes, you can set up alerts for various events in Network Discovery. These include newly detected unmonitored workstations, servers, and SNMP devices, scanning agents that have gone offline, scanning agents with changed IP addresses, and common vulnerabilities and exposures (CVEs). For additional instructions and insights on configuring alerts in Network Discovery, please refer to the below article.
Q: What settings are necessary for a successful domain scan in Network Discovery?
A: To ensure a successful domain scan in Network Discovery, there are several network requirements and settings to consider. For detailed information on the necessary settings, I recommend referring to our articles below. These resources will provide you with comprehensive guidance to help you configure the network settings correctly for a successful domain scan.
- Network Discovery: Optimal network settings
- Network Discovery: Troubleshoot
- Firewall Settings for Atera's Integrations - Network Discovery
Q: What subnets are compatible with Network Discovery?
A: Network Discovery is designed to support network scanning for subnets with a size of /20 and above. However, it does not currently support scanning of subnets with a size of /16. It is important to ensure that the network you plan to scan falls within the supported range of /20 and above to ensure the Network Discovery feature functions optimally.
Q: What domain role is required for the scanning agent to perform a domain scan?
A: To execute a domain scan successfully, the scanning agent must have the role of Primary Domain Controller (PDC). This role is necessary for the Network Discovery scan to function effectively within the domain network.
Q: What permissions are needed for the domain account used to initiate the Network Discovery scan?
A: The domain account used for Network Discovery must be a member of the Domain Admins group. This membership is necessary to ensure that the account has the appropriate permissions to perform the network scanning and discovery tasks effectively. Please refer to our article for detailed instructions and insights.
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