Nmap

Nmap, short for Network Mapper, is an open-source utility designed for network discovery and security auditing. It enables users to identify available hosts, services, operating systems, and firewall configurations on a network. Nmap is capable of rapidly scanning large networks and is compatible with major operating systems, including Linux, Windows, and Mac OS X.
Nmap includes several key components:
- Command-Line Executable: The primary interface for executing Nmap commands and scanning operations.
- Zenmap GUI: A graphical user interface that simplifies the use of Nmap for users preferring a visual approach.
- Ncat: A networking utility for reading and writing data across networks.
- Ndiff: A tool for comparing scan results.
- Nping: A utility for network packet generation and response analysis.
Nmap is widely recognized in the cybersecurity community, having received accolades such as 'Security Product of the Year'. It's also well-documented, with a comprehensive guide authored by Gordon 'Fyodor' Lyon, which covers various topics like port scanning, packet crafting, and firewall subversion techniques.
The tool is utilized for tasks including network inventory, penetration testing, and performance optimization with the Nmap Scripting Engine.
For more information on Nmap, refer to the official Nmap website.