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https://github.com/mehmetkahya0/networkmapping

Network Mapping Tool: A Python-based network mapping tool that discovers devices on your local network and creates visual network topology graphs using built-in Python libraries and basic network scanning techniques.
https://github.com/mehmetkahya0/networkmapping

console-application cybersecurity education educational-project graph gui network port port-scanner port-scanning python scan tkinter

Last synced: 12 months ago
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Network Mapping Tool: A Python-based network mapping tool that discovers devices on your local network and creates visual network topology graphs using built-in Python libraries and basic network scanning techniques.

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README 

          
# Network Mapping Tool



A Python-based network mapping tool that discovers devices on your local network and creates visual network topology graphs using built-in Python libraries and basic network scanning techniques.



## Features



- **Device Discovery**: Automatically scans your local network to find all connected devices using ping

- **Device Classification**: Identifies device types (routers, computers, servers, access points, etc.)

- **Network Visualization**: Creates beautiful network topology graphs showing device connections

- **Port Scanning**: Discovers open ports on each device for device identification

- **Multiple Interfaces**: Both command-line and GUI versions available

- **Data Export**: Export scan results to JSON format

- **No Root Required**: Works without administrator privileges or external tools



## Requirements



- Python 3.6+

- Required Python packages (see requirements.txt)

- No external tools required (no nmap installation needed)



## Installation



Install Python dependencies:

```bash

pip install -r requirements.txt

```



## Usage



### Command Line Version



Run the main script to perform a complete network scan and generate visualization:



```bash

python main.py

```



This will:

- Scan your local network for devices using ping

- Display a detailed device summary

- Generate a network topology graph (`network_map.png`)

- Export raw data (`network_data.json`)



### GUI Version



For a user-friendly interface:



```bash

python gui.py

```



The GUI provides:

- Easy network scanning with progress indication

- Tabular view of discovered devices

- Interactive map generation

- Data export functionality



### Quick Test



For a quick test of basic functionality:



```bash

python simple_main.py

```



## Device Types Detected



The tool can identify various device types based on open ports and network behavior:



- **Router/Gateway**: Default gateway or devices with web interface and SSH (ports 80/443 + 22)

- **Access Point**: Devices with "ap", "access", "wifi", or "wireless" in hostname

- **Windows Computer**: Systems with SMB/RDP services (ports 445, 3389)

- **Linux/Unix Server**: Systems with SSH service (port 22)

- **Web Server**: Devices serving HTTP/HTTPS (ports 80, 443)

- **Mobile Device**: Devices with mobile-related hostnames

- **Host/Computer**: Generic network devices



## Scanning Methods



### Quick Scan (Default)

- Ping sweep to discover live hosts

- Scans important ports (22, 80, 443, 445, 3389) for device classification

- Fast execution, good for basic network mapping



### Full Scan

- Ping sweep to discover live hosts  

- Scans all common ports for detailed device identification

- More comprehensive but slower



## Network Visualization



The generated network map uses color coding:

- 🔴 **Red**: Router/Gateway (main connection point)

- 🟠 **Orange**: Access Points

- 🔵 **Blue**: Servers

- 🟢 **Green**: Computers

- 🟣 **Purple**: Mobile Devices

- 🔵 **Light Blue**: Other devices



## Output Files



### network_map.png

Visual representation of your network topology showing:

- Device connections

- Device types (color-coded)

- IP addresses and hostnames

- Network structure



### network_data.json

Raw scan data including:

- Complete device information

- Open ports for each device

- Scan timestamps

- Network ranges scanned

- Gateway information



## Configuration Options



### Scan Types



- **Quick Scan**: `mapper.scan_network(quick_scan=True)` - Fast ping + important ports

- **Full Scan**: `mapper.scan_network(quick_scan=False)` - Ping + all common ports



### Custom Network Range



You can specify a custom network range to scan:



```python

mapper.scan_network("192.168.1.0/24")

```



## Security Considerations



- This tool uses standard network protocols (ICMP ping, TCP connect)

- No privileged operations required

- Some networks may block ping (ICMP) which will limit device discovery

- Firewall rules may prevent port scanning

- Only use on networks you own or have permission to scan



## Troubleshooting



### Common Issues



1. **No devices found**:

   - Check if you're connected to a network

   - Some networks block ICMP ping - this is normal for security

   - Try the full scan mode for better port-based detection



2. **Limited device discovery**:

   - Many modern devices don't respond to ping for security

   - Corporate networks often have strict firewall rules

   - Try scanning during peak usage times when devices are more active



3. **Slow scanning**:

   - Use quick scan mode for faster results: `quick_scan=True`

   - Reduce the network range being scanned

   - Some networks have rate limiting



4. **Matplotlib display issues**:

   - Install tkinter: `pip install tk`

   - For headless systems, the tool will save files instead of displaying



## Example Output



```

NETWORK MAPPING RESULTS

============================================================

Total devices found: 3

Networks scanned: 192.168.1.0/24

Gateway: 192.168.1.1

------------------------------------------------------------



ROUTER/GATEWAY:

  192.168.1.1     | router.local         | Ports: [80, 443]



HOST/COMPUTER:

  192.168.1.100   | desktop-pc           | Ports: []

  192.168.1.101   | laptop-user          | Ports: [22]

```



## Advantages Over nmap-based Solutions



- **No Installation Required**: Works with just Python packages

- **No Root Privileges**: Runs as regular user

- **Cross-Platform**: Works on Windows, macOS, Linux without additional setup

- **Lightweight**: Minimal dependencies

- **Safe**: Uses standard network protocols only



## License



This project is open source and available under the MIT License.



## Contributing



Feel free to submit issues, feature requests, or pull requests to improve the tool.



## Usage



### Command Line Version



Run the main script to perform a complete network scan and generate visualization:



```bash

python main.py

```



This will:

- Scan your local network for devices

- Display a detailed device summary

- Generate a network topology graph (`network_map.png`)

- Export raw data (`network_data.json`)



### GUI Version



For a user-friendly interface:



```bash

python gui.py

```



The GUI provides:

- Easy network scanning with progress indication

- Tabular view of discovered devices

- Interactive map generation

- Data export functionality



## Device Types Detected



The tool can identify various device types based on open ports and network behavior:



- **Router/Gateway**: Devices with web interface and SSH/Telnet (ports 80/443 + 22/23)

- **Access Point**: Wireless access points and WiFi devices

- **Windows Computer**: Systems with SMB/RDP services (ports 445, 139, 3389)

- **Linux/Unix Server**: Systems with SSH service (port 22)

- **Mac Computer**: Systems with AFP service (port 548)

- **Web Server**: Devices serving HTTP/HTTPS (ports 80, 443, 8080)

- **FTP Server**: File transfer servers (port 21)

- **DNS Server**: Domain name servers (port 53)

- **Network Device**: SNMP-enabled devices (port 161)



## Network Visualization



The generated network map uses color coding:

- 🔴 **Red**: Router/Gateway (main connection point)

- 🟠 **Orange**: Access Points

- 🔵 **Blue**: Servers

- 🟢 **Green**: Computers

- 🔵 **Light Blue**: Other devices



## Output Files



### network_map.png

Visual representation of your network topology showing:

- Device connections

- Device types (color-coded)

- IP addresses and hostnames

- Network structure



### network_data.json

Raw scan data including:

- Complete device information

- Open ports for each device

- MAC addresses (when available)

- Scan timestamps

- Network ranges scanned



## Configuration Options



### Quick Scan vs Full Scan



- **Quick Scan** (`-sn`): Fast ping sweep to discover hosts

- **Full Scan** (`-sS -O --top-ports 1000`): Detailed port scan with OS detection



### Custom Network Range



You can specify a custom network range to scan:



```python

mapper.scan_network("192.168.1.0/24")

```



## Security Considerations



- This tool performs network scanning which may be detected by security systems

- Only use on networks you own or have permission to scan

- Some firewalls may block or detect the scanning activity

- Administrative privileges may be required for certain scan types



## Troubleshooting



### Common Issues



1. **No devices found**:

   - Check if you're connected to a network

   - Try running with administrator/root privileges

   - Verify Nmap is properly installed



2. **Permission errors**:

   - Run with `sudo` on macOS/Linux

   - Run as Administrator on Windows



3. **Matplotlib display issues**:

   - Install tkinter: `pip install tk`

   - For headless systems, the tool will save files instead of displaying



4. **Slow scanning**:

   - Use quick scan mode for faster results

   - Reduce the network range being scanned



## Example Output



```

NETWORK MAPPING RESULTS

============================================================

Total devices found: 8

Networks scanned: 192.168.1.0/24

------------------------------------------------------------



ROUTER/GATEWAY:

  192.168.1.1     | router.local         | Ports: [22, 53, 80, 443]



WINDOWS COMPUTER:

  192.168.1.100   | desktop-pc           | Ports: [135, 139, 445]

  192.168.1.101   | laptop-user          | Ports: [135, 139, 445]



ACCESS POINT:

  192.168.1.50    | ap-livingroom        | Ports: [22, 80, 443]



HOST/COMPUTER:

  192.168.1.200   | phone-android        | Ports: []

  192.168.1.201   | tablet-ipad          | Ports: []

```



## License



This project is open source and available under the MIT License.



## Contributing



Feel free to submit issues, feature requests, or pull requests to improve the tool.