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TCP/IP Unleashed, 3rd EditionTCP/IP Unleashed, 3rd Edition

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Like this article? We recommend

Like this article? We recommend

TCP/IP Unleashed, 3rd EditionTCP/IP Unleashed, 3rd Edition

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Freeware/Shareware IP Tools

My source of information and inspiration here comes in part from many years of experience working with TCP/IP. I also draw from IP expert and protocol analysis maven, Laura Chappell (who also happened to co-author a college textbook we wrote entitled A Guide to TCP/IP). Her excellent article for Network World in 2000: "Top 10 TCP/IP Tools No Network Pro Should Be Without" is another valuable source of information on this topic, too.

To the list in Table 1, let's adds the utilities from Table 2.

Table 2: Good Shareware/Freeware IP Utilities, By Name or Function

Name/Function

Explanation

DNS dig (n)

Provides DNS server lookup in more readable form than nslookup.

finger (n)

Provides publicly accessible host and user information (where available; because of security problems, finger is often blocked).

port scanner (f)

Checks a target address for all open UDP and TCP port addresses; useful for configuration and security checks. Nmap, nlog, and other tools are highly recommended.

protocol analyzer (f)

Captures and decodes all IP-based traffic on a particular cable segment or network interface. Ethereal is highly recommended.

reverse lookup (f)

As ARP maps from IP address to physical address, RARP maps from physical address to IP address.

SMTP email address

Determines if an e-mail address is valid and current validation (f).

SMTP relay check (f)

Checks the path e-mail messages take from source to target.

vulnerability scanner (f)

Scans a computer for known network exposures and vulnerabilities (particularly IP-based). Nessus is highly recommended.

whois (n)

Provides public information about domain names, registrars, name servers, and name currency.

Notes: (n) indicates name of command, (f) indicates function performed (additional searching will be necessary to locate a suitable utility of that type).

These functions expand (or improve on) basic built-in lookup capabilities, especially for domain names, IP hosts, and e-mail addresses. DNS dig can be particularly helpful for those who work regularly with domain name servers and related databases, as the SMTP functions will be useful for those who manage e-mail servers and related databases. Also, there are two outstanding sources for freeware and shareware IP tools that you can treat as clearinghouses for the preceding tools and functions, and as excellent sites to prospect for other tools and utilities of potential interest or use:

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