Using Network Scanner for subnet and asset discovery only

Hi SoftPerfect Team,

We are evaluating SoftPerfect Network Scanner for use by our IT/cybersecurity teams within vessel and segmented corporate environments. Our use case is lightweight subnet and asset discovery only, with temporary installation on engineer laptops as required.

Before proceeding, could you clarify:

• How frequently the product is updated and maintained.
• Whether updates are digitally signed.
• Whether the application performs telemetry, outbound communications, or online licensing checks.
• Whether functionality can be limited to subnet/host discovery only.
• Whether the product supports offline/air-gapped environments.

We would also appreciate guidance on licensing for this model, where a small number of engineers may install and use the software on different assets over time, but with only limited concurrent usage.
Could you advise on the most suitable licensing option for this scenario?

Thank you for considering SoftPerfect Network Scanner for your engineering teams. Please find answers to your queries below.

Update frequency: Network Scanner is typically updated a few times per year, although there is no hard schedule, as some updates are prompted by changes in OS or bugfixes. To get a better idea, have a look at the Network Scanner changelog, which includes dates and details of each release.

Digital signing: yes, all our binaries are signed with an Extended Validation (EV) code-signing certificate, which represents the highest level of identity validation available for software publishers.

Telemetry, outbound communications and online licensing: the application is designed to be quiet on the network. Specifically:

• Licence verification: we perform periodic checks against a licence blacklist, which is how we revoke licences linked to fraudulent orders. A successful activation is reported once, at the time a licence key is first entered.
• Optional features that may generate outbound traffic:
  
  • Cloud-based device type resolution sends the device MAC address and local hostname to our service for identification. This is the only outbound feature enabled by default, and it can be easily turned off by the user.
  • External IP detection - only when invoked.
  • Email and webhook notifications - only when configured for background scan results.

With cloud device type resolution disabled, the application performs no outbound communication beyond the licence-related checks described above. If required, all external connectivity can effectively be disabled.

Limiting functionality to discovery only: yes. The scanner's behaviour is fully configurable, and it can be restricted to lightweight subnet/host discovery (ping, ARP, hostname and MAC enumeration). Deeper probing such as port scanning, device type lookup, SNMP, WMI and similar checks, is opt-in and can be disabled.

Offline / air-gapped environments: Network Scanner can run in environments without internet access. In offline mode, activation is not reported, but the application continues to function normally for scanning. Features that depend on outbound connectivity (cloud device type resolution, external IP detection, email/webhook notifications) will naturally be unavailable.

Licensing recommendation for your scenario: For a small engineering team installing on different assets over time with limited concurrent use, the right fit is one of our Business Licences sized to your peak concurrent usage. Based on your description, a 5-device or 10-device Business Licence is most likely appropriate.