Draw Your Network Map

LANsurveyor's map allows you to see a visual representation of your network setup including the devices attached to your network. Follow these steps to create your first network map.

Step 1 of 4: Launch LANsurveyor

Launch LANsurveyor by double-clicking on the LANsurveyor icon. If you have purchased LANsurveyor and this is your first launch, LANsurveyor prompts you for registration information and then asks you if you would like to supply authentication information.

lsm_configure

Click "Yes" and LANsurveyor opens the Network Options dialog box with the Authentication tab selected.

If this is not your first launch of LANsurveyor, go to the Options menu and select Network to bring up the Network Options dialog box.

lsm_options_menu

Step 2 of 4: Store Access Information

The Network Options dialog box should now be displayed. LANsurveyor uses the information you store here to access Neon Responders and SNMP-based devices when drawing maps and creating reports. The SNMP Community String (or password) allows LANsurveyor access information stored on your SNMP-enabled devices, such as routers, switches, printers, servers, NAS devices, and more.

lsm_network_options

Enter your Community Strings and the password you would like to use for your Neon Responders. (You will password protect your Neon Responders in the next tutorial.) If you do not know your SNMP Community String, use "public", the default for most devices.

Step 3 of 4: Enter Map Parameters

After you enter your security information, LANsurveyor displays the Create New Network Map dialog box. LANsurveyor uses your computer's IP address and subnet mask to determine the default search range. Use this IP address range or enter another range: LANsurveyor can map and manage both local and remote networks.

lsm_create_map

LANsurveyor identifies network-connected devices a number of different ways. Check the boxes for the various TCP/IP services you would like to use to draw your map.

LANsurveyor can also show connectivity between different networks (i.e., network segments separated by routers or "hops"). Enter the number of hops LANsurveyor should scan.

Note: Routers only disclose their connectivity to LANsurveyor through SNMP information. Step 2 in this tutorial describes how to store SNMP Community Strings in LANsurveyor.

If you are on an AppleTalk network, click on the disclosure triangle to display AppleTalk networking information. The available AppleTalk zones are listed on the left side of the dialog box. Double click on any zone to add it to your map or select several zones and click the "Add" button.

lsm_create_map_at

If you have installed Neon Responders, LANsurveyor will automatically identify the computers with both AppleTalk and TCP/IP protocols enabled and will display each computer with a single icon and both protocols listed.

Step 4 of 4: Draw Your Map

Once you have entered all your information in the "Create New Network Map" dialog box, click the OK button. LANsurveyor displays a progress dialog as it maps your network.

lsm_mapping

Congratulations! You have just drawn your first network map with LANsurveyor.

If you followed this tutorial, LANsurveyor drew your map with icons that represent your computers and SNMP-based devices.

lsm_map

If all you see a lot of generic "IP" computer icons, either you haven't yet installed the Neon Responders (see Install Neon Responders ) or you saved incorrect Community String information in the Network Options dialog box (outlined above in Step 2).