Quickly identify devices on your home network and discover which common services they are running.
Introduction
Have you ever wondered what devices are connected to your home network?
With smart TVs, phones, tablets, printers, cameras, games consoles, and smart home devices all sharing the same broadband connection, it can be difficult to know exactly what’s online.
The Home Network Scanner script provides a simple way to discover devices on your local network and identify commonly used network services running on those devices. Based on the information provided in the associated README file, the tool scans your local network, identifies active devices, and checks for common open ports.
What Does the Network Scanner Do?
The script performs two primary functions:
Device Discovery
The scanner identifies active devices connected to your local network.
Port Detection
For each device discovered, it checks a selection of commonly used network ports to identify services that may be running.
This can help you identify devices such as:
- Printers
- NAS devices
- Security cameras
- Smart TVs
- Routers
- Raspberry Pi devices
- File servers
Files Included
The tool consists of two files:
| File | Purpose |
|---|---|
| README.md | Instructions / Read me file |
Network-Scan.ps1 | PowerShell scanning script |
NetworkScan.bat | Easy-to-launch batch file |
The batch file is intended to provide the simplest way of running the scanner.
How to Run the Scanner
Step 1: Save the Files
Place all files in the same folder.
All files are within this ZIP file.
Step 2: Connect to Your Network
Ensure your computer is connected to the Wi‑Fi or Ethernet network you wish to scan.
Step 3: Launch the Scan
Double-click: NetworkScan.bat
The script will automatically start the PowerShell scanner.
Step 4: SmartScreen Warning
Windows may display: Windows protected your PC. If this occurs, click More Info and Run Anyway
The README explains that this warning commonly appears for downloaded scripts and notes that the script only reads network information and does not install or modify software.
Step 5: Review the Results
The scan typically completes within a few minutes and produces:
✅ An on-screen results table
✅ A CSV file stored on your desktop
The CSV output can be opened in Microsoft Excel for further review.
Understanding the Results
IP Address
Shows the network address assigned to the device.
Hostname
Displays the device name if it responds with one.
Some devices, particularly phones and IoT devices, may appear as: (unknown)
Open Ports
Shows which of the tested ports responded.
This can provide useful clues about the device type or services running.
Common Ports Explained
| Port | Typical Service |
|---|---|
| 80 / 443 | Web interfaces |
| 8080 / 8443 | Alternative web interfaces |
| 445 / 139 | Windows file sharing |
| 3389 | Remote Desktop |
| 22 | Secure Shell (SSH) |
| 554 | Security cameras and NVRs |
Investigation
The Home Network Scanner is run from a desktop PC connected to the network.
The results reveal:
✅ Known devices
✅ Multiple smart home devices
✅ A forgotten printer that is still active
✅ Open management interfaces on several devices
Outcome
The homeowner gains a clearer understanding of what is connected to the network and can investigate any unexpected devices further.
Important Notes
The script documentation highlights several important considerations:
✅ Works with Windows PowerShell 5.1 and PowerShell 7+.
✅ No additional software installation is required.
✅ Only scans the local network currently connected to the computer.
✅ Some devices may not respond to discovery requests.
✅ Scans should only be performed on networks you own or are authorised to test.
Advanced Configuration
Advanced users may customise:
Ports to Scan
The list of ports can be modified within: $PortsToCheck
Scan Performance
The level of parallel scanning can be adjusted using: $MaxParallel
Lower values reduce the load placed on the router and network during scanning.
Disclaimer
Important Notice
This tool is provided for educational, troubleshooting, and network management purposes only.
By using this script, you acknowledge and agree that:
- The script is intended to scan and report on devices connected to the local network to which your computer is currently connected.
- You should only use this tool on networks that you own or have explicit permission to investigate.
- The results produced by the script are provided on a best-effort basis and may not identify every device or service present on the network.
- Some devices may not respond to network discovery requests and therefore may not appear in the results.
- Port information should be treated as indicative only and should not be considered a definitive assessment of the services running on a device.
- The author accepts no responsibility for any loss, damage, service interruption, or other consequences arising from the use or misuse of this script.
- The script is supplied “as is” without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied.
- You are responsible for ensuring that use of this tool complies with all applicable laws, regulations, organisational policies, and acceptable use requirements.
This script is designed to be non-destructive. It does not install software, modify system settings, make configuration changes, or transmit information outside of the local device. However, users should always review and understand any script before executing it.
If you are unsure whether you have permission to scan a network, do not run this tool
Key Takeaway
The Home Network Scanner provides a simple and effective way to discover devices connected to your local network and identify common services running on them. Whether you’re troubleshooting, managing a smart home environment, or simply curious about what’s connected to your broadband router, this tool provides useful visibility into your network without requiring specialist software or networking expertise.