Hi all, I'm trying to get my head around networks and am looking for a decent, free (if there is one) network mapping tool which will display my connections graphically, eg bus, star etc. I tried the Intermapper trial last night but it means using java which I'm not that happy about. Also I'm not quite sure of the legality of this as it will surely mean scanning both my isp and other users so any advice here would be gratefully received. I want to learn, but the last thing I want to do is wind anyone up :) Thanks, Sean.

what exasctly do you want to do, i dont quite follow... Jaymc.co.nr

Products like Visio and HP TopTools will give you a map of a network topology. But if you want to learn this is not the tool to use. You first need to know about the differences between routers and switches, how they operate and what makes each unique from the other. With this base you can with tracert, ping, nbtstat, arp and others figure out what your local and perhaps even wan topology is setup. In other words build the diagram in your mind. This will be the best practice.

I think I know what he wants. I am currently trying to get an overview over my new employers network, which is not a particularly easy thing to do. We've got static IP-adresses, no documentation and several locations. I do not want to arouse my ISP, but I suppose they would allow a packetsniffer just this once if I ask nicely. What I really want is a packetsniffer that passively detects a fingerprint of all hosts on my local network, and puts them in a spreadsheet explaining IP-address, OS, Printer make/model etc. A visio-drawing would be nice as well. The only tool I so far have found for this is Visio 2003 with resource kit (not sure it's passive, though). In the RK there is a utility developed by Fluke Networks (the makers of the sought after, but extremely expensive, nerd-toys for network analysis. You know, the yellow ones). There are some hacker scripts out there, but I really don't have time to learn a scripting language for this, and I have yet to see an updated one as well. My best bet is getting a local install of Visio 2003 and its Resource Kit. Suppose it might take half a year, but hey, at least I have an answer for my boss.