Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we get about IP Scanner.

If you need more help, head on over to the Support Forum or send us an email and we’ll be happy to try and help.

How can I apply my site license to the new Mac App Store version of IP Scanner?

Unfortunately, you can’t. Site licenses can only be used on the version that you download directly from us. We are happy to migrate your current license to the App Store if you wish, but be aware of App Store limitations that enable you to install the app on a maximum of 5 machines! Please email us your original license information if you would like us to migrate you.

I bought a license, but when I enter it the app says can’t validate license or a similar error message.

Make sure you do not have empty spaces before or after the code when you copy/paste from the email containing your license.

Also, in some situations the Preferences file has become corrupt such that it can no longer be written to and therefore cannot save your license status. To remedy this, you can reset the prefs in the Tools menu, under Debug. Then quit the app, relaunch it, and try entering your license info again. Remember to export any custom device entries that you may have created before deleting the prefs!

I have a license code – how do I register the app?

You’ll find the ‘Register’ option in the IP Scanner application menu. Note: the free version of IP Scanner available from the Mac App Store does not have this option! See FAQ entry #1 above if this applies to you.

IP Scanner isn’t finding all of my devices

IP Scanner can only find active devices with valid IP numbers. This means that for a device to turn up in IP Scanner’s scan results it must actually be ON (and not asleep or “hibernating”) and present on the network. Some devices only access the network briefly and then essentially remove themselves. They will be detectable during the time of their network access and for some time (up to 30 minutes or so) afterwards. Also, IP Scanner cannot find devices that are on different subnets. This means that if IP Scanner is running on a machine that has the IP number 192.168.1.2, it cannot find devices that have, for example, IP numbers like 10.0.1.2.

IP Scanner lists an “unidentified hidden device” – what’s that?

This is a device that IP Scanner has discovered on the network, but which does not provide enough information for us to supply a reasonable identification. One way to track down devices like this is to google the manufacturer (manufacturer info, if available, is found in the device detail view after double-clicking on the device). Also try running Ping and Portscan against it to see if other clues show up, like what open services the device might be advertising. Once you have determined what the device is, assign it a custom name and badge to help IP Scanner recognize it in the future.

What is a whitelist?

A whitelist is a list of trusted devices. By adding devices you know to this list it will be easier to identify devices you do not yet recognize as the whitelisted devices will be greyed-out and moved to the bottom of the scans list.

What is a blacklist?

A blacklist is a list of devices to ignore. By adding devices to this list they will no longer appear in the scan results at all. You can manage this list by choosing ‘Manage blacklist’ from the tools menu.

What are the green dots next to some devices?

The green dots indicate devices that are currently responding and active, as opposed to devices that are passively on the network (ie, the router has given them an IP lease but they are not actually creating any network traffic). To toggle the green dots on or off, use the “Display current Ping status” pref.

N.B.: this feature uses the Ping command to determine whether a device is currently active. Some devices (such as certain versions of Windows) do not by default respond to Ping, and they may consequently not display a dot in the scan list, even though they are currently active.

I have a device for which there is no picture.

If you are handy with an image-editing software package like Photoshop, you may create your own image badges. As of IP Scanner version 2.8 and later you may simply add them to the directory found at ~/Library/Application Support/IP Scanner/Devices/

Device images should be 36×36 pixels and in PNG format.

Please consider submitting your new device images so that others may also benefit. Submit your badge images here.

When I tap ‘Rescan’ it continues to show previous devices – how do I get a current scan?

Scan results are cumulative within a session (e.g., between launches of the app). If you would like the results to be cleared before rescanning, tap and hold the ‘Rescan’ button for 1 second. There is also a global preference to control this behaviour in the IP Scanner section of the ‘Settings’ app.

Who is Heino?

Heino is a German singer of popular music and traditional Volksmusik. He is also a big fan of IP Scanner and requested that all those who use his serial number be treated to some of his special music. For those of you who are not in his close circle of friends, you can still catch his act here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_kXFS-HND0