10-Strike Network Scanner vs. Alternatives: Which Is Right for You?

How to Use 10-Strike Network Scanner for Fast Network Audits### Introduction

10-Strike Network Scanner is a Windows-based tool designed to discover devices, check services, and gather inventory across local and remote networks. For administrators who need quick visibility and actionable results, it provides a range of scanning methods, reporting options, and automation features that speed up routine audits.

Why choose 10-Strike for fast audits

• Fast discovery: uses ICMP, TCP, and ARP to quickly map live hosts.
• Flexible scanning: supports port scans, SNMP queries, WMI, and NetBIOS checks.
• Detailed data: collects OS, open ports, MAC addresses, installed software (when accessible), and uptime.
• Built-in reports: exportable to CSV, HTML, and PDF for sharing or archival.
• Automation: scheduled scans and alerts reduce manual work.

Preparing for an audit

1. Environment and permissions

   • Ensure you have administrative credentials where needed (WMI, remote registry, or SNMP community strings).
   • Verify firewall rules permit scanning traffic (ICMP, target TCP ports).

2. Define audit scope

   • IP ranges/subnets, VLANs, or explicit device lists.
   • Which data points you need: open ports, running services, installed software, SNMP info.

3. Install and license

   • Download and install the 10-Strike Network Scanner on a Windows machine with network access to the target subnets.
   • Enter license information (if using the paid edition) to unlock full features like advanced scanning and scheduled tasks.

Basic workflow for a fast network audit

1. Create a new scan task
   • Open the application and start a New Task. Name it with date and scope for future reference.
2. Set target range
   • Enter one or multiple IP ranges, CIDR blocks, or hostnames. For large environments, break into smaller ranges to parallelize and manage timeouts.
3. Choose scan methods
   • Enable ICMP (ping) and ARP for local fast discovery.
   • Add TCP port scan for common ports (e.g., 22, 80, 443, 3389) to quickly identify services.
   • For deeper asset details, enable SNMP (provide community strings), WMI/remote registry (provide credentials), and NetBIOS.
4. Configure timeouts and threads
   • Increase threads for faster scans on stable networks; reduce if you observe packet loss.
   • Set conservative timeouts for WAN or slower links.
5. Run an initial quick scan
   • Use a “fast” profile or disable deep checks to obtain a rapid inventory of active hosts.
6. Follow with targeted deep scans
   • For hosts of interest, run credentialed checks (WMI/SNMP) to collect installed software, services, and user sessions.

Using credentials for richer results

• WMI/Remote Registry (Windows): supplies installed software, services, startup items, and logged-on users. Use an account with local admin rights on target machines.
• SNMP (network gear): read community strings (v1/v2c) or SNMP v3 credentials to pull device models, interfaces, and traffic counters.
• SSH (Linux/Unix): if supported, use SSH credentials for package and process info.

Interpreting scan results

• Host list: shows alive/dead status, response times, MAC addresses, and resolved names.
• Open ports/services: prioritize high-risk exposed services (RDP, SMB, SSH) for remediation.
• OS and device type: helps separate servers, workstations, and network gear for tailored actions.
• Changes over time: compare with previous scans to spot new open ports, new hosts, or removed assets.

Reporting and exporting

• Generate summary reports in HTML or PDF for management: total hosts scanned, devices by type, top open ports, and critical exposures.
• Export CSV for import into CMDB, ticketing systems, or spreadsheets.
• Use scheduled emailed reports to keep stakeholders informed automatically.

Automating and scheduling audits

• Create scheduled scan tasks for daily, weekly, or monthly audits. Stagger schedules to avoid network congestion.
• Configure alert triggers for new hosts, new open ports, or failed credentialed checks to receive immediate notification.

Best practices and tips for speed

• Use ARP and local subnet discovery to rapidly find hosts without waiting for TCP timeouts.
• Limit port range for quick checks; use full port sweeps only when necessary.
• Run scans during off-peak hours for less interference and faster results.
• Maintain an exclude list for known hosts (e.g., printers with slow SNMP) to avoid delays.
• Combine a quick discovery pass with focused credentialed scans on important assets.

Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

• Firewall interference: coordinate with network/security teams to whitelist scanner traffic when needed.
• Credential failures: verify account permissions and test on a small set before broad scans.
• Overloading network: reduce threads or schedule scans during low-usage windows.
• False positives/negatives: cross-check results with other tools or follow-up probes.

Example: Quick audit procedure (step-by-step)

1. Define scope: 192.168.10.0/24 and 192.168.11.0/24.
2. New task: name “Weekly Audit — 192.168.10-11 — 2025-08-30”.
3. Targets: enter the two CIDR ranges.
4. Scan methods: ICMP + ARP + TCP (common ports 22, 80, 443, 445, 3389).
5. Threads: 200 (adjust if packet loss observed). Timeouts: 1500 ms.
6. Run quick scan (expected time: ~2–5 minutes per /24 depending on network).
7. Review live hosts; pick servers for WMI checks to collect installed software.
8. Export CSV and generate HTML report; email to IT ops.

When to use deeper analysis tools

10-Strike is great for fast audits and routine inventory. For vulnerability depth (exploit checks, CVE mapping) pair it with dedicated vulnerability scanners (e.g., Nessus, OpenVAS) or endpoint agents that provide continuous monitoring.

Conclusion

10-Strike Network Scanner speeds up network audits by combining multi-protocol discovery, credentialed asset collection, and automated reporting. Use a two-phase approach — fast discovery followed by targeted deep scans — to balance speed and completeness while keeping network impact low.