What it does
Netdisco collects IP and MAC information through SNMP, CLI or device APIs and presents inventory, history and network views through a web interface.
Configure the collection backend and device access, then search the stored inventory by MAC or IP to locate equipment and inspect its history. Netdisco collects through SNMP, CLI or supported device APIs into PostgreSQL, with a web interface and troubleshooting CLI on Linux or Unix. Its configuration can restrict authentication by device and by read or write operation. Keep that distinction when granting access, since port shutdown, VLAN and PoE changes are administrative functions alongside inventory. SNMP needs a reachable management interface and appropriate credentials; each alternative transport has its own settings. Missing inventory can therefore reflect collection access rather than an absent device.
Strengths
- Address-to-network location lookup
- Historical inventory data
Watch out for
- Requires database setup and access to managed devices