Scanning multiple IP ranges across different subnets
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In our company, we have 4 IP ranges: 10.49.160.X to 10.49.163.X, with subnet 255.255.255.0.
I installed WiFi Guard. It is a great tool! Very, very good. I installed it on one Windows Server 2022 in the 10.49.160.X range. I can scan all devices in 10.49.160.X.
Is it possible to scan 10.49.161.X - 10.49.163.X too? I tried Settings-Advanced, where I entered in the IP range 10.49.160.1-10.49.163.254. But this way, in the other ranges, the app only shows routers and switches. What else can I do?
This issue most likely stems from the way the Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) works, which WiFi Guard uses for device detection. ARP operates at the data link layer and can only discover devices that are in the same subnet as the computer running the scan. That's why you are seeing only routers and switches in the other subnets - these devices are typically configured to respond across subnets, while regular devices are not visible via ARP outside their own subnet.
To properly scan the other subnets (10.49.161.X to 10.49.163.X), you would need to install and run WiFi Guard on a computer or server that is connected to each of those specific subnets.
I have an idea but I don't know if it is doable. Is it possible to run different instances of WiFi Guard on one VM? I could add new network interfaces to the other IP ranges and use different network adapters in different WiFi Guard instances. I think then I would need separate licences for each instance?
There may be a simpler solution to your idea: you can use a single virtual machine with multiple network interfaces, each connected to one of the subnets you wish to scan. As long as each interface has a valid IP address within its respective subnet, a single instance of WiFi Guard should be able to detect devices across all configured networks.
Then in Settings, on the Advanced tab, enter your custom IP address range(s) - and WiFi Guard will be scanning the specified range(s), ignoring the adapter selected on the Basic tab.
This approach will eliminate the need to run multiple instances or purchase additional licences.