🕸️ Network Scanner — Ping Sweeper (Python + Scapy)

A simple Python-based ping sweep tool that scans a network and identifies live hosts using ICMP echo requests.
Built using Scapy and netaddr, following the tutorial series:

📺 YouTube Tutorial:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzltvLSsDkE&list=PLB7R26sRn2aLhKbDDRtd7wluaX91pqAQD&index=4

---

🚀 Features

• Scan all hosts in a subnet (e.g., /24)
• Detect online hosts using ICMP packets
• Progress counter during scanning
• Clean output (no Scapy warnings)
• Works on Windows when Npcap is installed

---

📦 Requirements

1️⃣ Python Version

Use Python 3.11 (best compatibility with Scapy).

2️⃣ Install Required Packages

Install Scapy + netaddr into Python 3.11:

py -3.11 -m pip install scapy netaddr

3️⃣ Install Npcap (Windows)

Required for raw packet sending.

Download here: https://nmap.org/npcap/

During installation, enable:

✔ Install Npcap in WinPcap API-compatible Mode

▶️ Usage

Run the script:

py -3.11 pingsweeper.py <network> <netmask>

📋 Example Output

Scanning host: 8/254
Host 192.168.1.1 is online.
Host 192.168.1.8 is online.
Completed scan.
Live hosts: ['192.168.1.1', '192.168.1.8']

🧩 Code Overview

• netaddr.IPNetwork() generates each host IP

• Scapy sends ICMP Echo Requests (ping)

• Hosts that respond are added to a live_hosts list

• Output is displayed as scan progresses

📁 Project Structure

network-scanner/ │ ├── pingsweeper.py └── README.md

🧹 Troubleshooting

Scapy or netaddr not found

You installed packages in the wrong Python version.

Use:

py -3.11 -m pip install scapy netaddr

Raw socket error on Windows

You need Npcap installed.

VS Code shows “No name 'ICMP' in module 'scapy.all'”

This is a Pylint false warning.

📜 Disclaimer

This project is for ethical and educational use only. Only scan networks you own or have permission to test.