LANState: Visual Network Map with Built-In Tools for Real-Time Admin Tasks
General Overview
LANState is a network mapping and monitoring tool designed to give admins a live, interactive view of what’s happening on their LAN. Its strength isn’t in handling complex WANs or integrating with cloud APIs — it’s in fast, local visibility with actionable context.
The core idea is simple: scan the network, build a live topology map, and let the admin interact with nodes directly. Need to ping something? Reboot a workstation? Trace a route? You don’t leave the map. LANState puts common tools one click away from device icons.
It’s a Windows-native program made for medium-sized networks that need visual clarity and low-overhead diagnostics — without rolling out enterprise-grade NMS stacks.
Capabilities and Features
| Feature | What It Provides |
| Auto Network Mapping | Scans and visualizes devices with icons, names, statuses |
| Real-Time Monitoring | Detects device availability via ICMP, SNMP, and NetBIOS |
| Built-In Admin Tools | Ping, trace route, reboot, shutdown, port scanner, wake-on-LAN |
| Event Notifications | Triggers alerts on host state changes (up/down) |
| Access Control & Scripts | Run custom actions on remote machines (if authorized) |
| Device Grouping | Organize hosts into zones or logical blocks |
| Map Editing | Manual layout, annotations, background images (e.g., floor plans) |
| Logging & History | Keeps event logs per device or segment |
| SNMP Monitoring | Basic SNMP polling for switches, routers, printers |
| Export & Printing | Save network maps as images, PDFs, or vector drawings |
Deployment Notes
– Works only on Windows (7, 10, 11, Server editions)
– Requires admin rights for full feature set (remote control, WMI tools)
– Installation is standalone, no database or external dependencies
– Map storage is local; settings and history saved in user profile
– Works best on flat networks or routed segments with SNMP access
– Supports custom icons and label overlays for personalized maps
Usage Scenarios
– Visualizing and monitoring devices in a small to midsize corporate LAN
– Using one-click tools (e.g., ping, restart) directly from a live map
– Detecting when hosts or printers go offline unexpectedly
– Creating a visual layout of a branch office with live status feedback
– Troubleshooting remote workstation issues without RDP or SSH
– Preparing printable network diagrams with status overlays
Limitations
– No Linux or macOS version; Windows-only
– Doesn’t scale well to large or segmented networks
– No centralized dashboard for multiple sites or admins
– SNMP support is minimal — good for up/down status, not full metrics
– No API, headless mode, or cloud integration
Comparison Table
| Tool | Focus | Compared to LANState |
| The Dude | Visual network mapping | More scalable, but less polished UI and harder to configure |
| PRIMMAP | LAN visualization | Similar scope, but lacks real-time status tracking |
| NetCrunch Tools | Network diagnostics | No live map, but broader set of standalone tools |
| PRTG | Monitoring with sensors | Stronger metrics support, but heavier install and complexity |
| Spiceworks Map | Web-based mapping | Cloud-centric and less responsive for real-time LAN diagnostics |
