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If you want to see what is connected to your LAN and keep track of which device is which, LAN Orangutan is a lightweight self-hosted option worth considering. It uses nmap for discovery, then lets you label, group, and annotate devices across scans. The headline does not name a product, so LAN Orangutan is a strong example of this kind of scanner—not a confirmed identification of the intended product.
What LAN Orangutan does
LAN Orangutan scans networks using nmap and presents discovered devices in a browser dashboard or through a command-line interface. Its practical distinction is that discovery is paired with persistent organization: labels, groups, and notes stay associated with devices across scans. The CLI can output JSON and export CSV, which helps if you want to use the results outside the dashboard.
The project describes its philosophy plainly: “LAN Orangutan isn’t trying to be the most powerful scanner out there, and that’s the point.” It is aimed at answering questions like what is on a network, which IP belongs to an unfamiliar device, and whether devices across multiple networks can be identified and remembered.
What setup requires
The repository describes LAN Orangutan as a cross-platform single-binary application with no application dependencies. The official setup instructions add an important qualification: nmap must be installed separately. The basic flow is to install nmap, download and run LAN Orangutan, and open its local dashboard. The project lists Linux, macOS, and Windows support.
#1 Best Overall
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- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
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A Raspberry Pi is one possible host for an always-on scanner, but the project does not require a particular Pi model or dedicated hardware. A compatible computer can serve as the host.
Networks, Docker, and scan visibility
LAN Orangutan supports multiple networks and can discover Tailscale peers. Tailscale integration requires the host’s Tailscale CLI. In the standard Docker configuration, the container cannot see a Tailscale installation on the host, so Docker users should not assume that tailnet discovery will work without additional setup.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Docker can also produce misleading results on macOS and Windows. In those environments, Docker runs inside a virtual machine, and the VM’s NAT may respond to probes in ways that look like discovered devices. The project advises running LAN Orangutan directly on the host for this scenario.
Some device details depend on network layout. MAC addresses and vendor names are obtained through ARP on the same network segment; when scanning routed networks, those details may be unavailable. A missing MAC address or vendor name therefore does not necessarily mean a device was not found.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Secure the dashboard before exposing it
LAN Orangutan requires initial password setup by default when its dashboard is network-bound. It stores the password as a bcrypt hash. The dashboard does not provide built-in HTTPS; the project recommends a reverse proxy or Tailscale when encrypted access is needed.
Do not disable authentication while listening on a network address unless another access-control layer protects the dashboard. A local-only dashboard and a network-accessible dashboard have different exposure risks, so check the bind address and authentication settings before making it reachable from other devices.
Rank #4
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When a simple scanner is enough—and when it is not
LAN Orangutan prioritizes quick discovery and persistent labels in a small deployment. If the main problem is losing track of devices or their IP addresses, that limited scope may be an advantage. Other projects describe broader toolsets: InSpectre includes port-baseline monitoring, vulnerability scanning, and container-management capabilities; LanLens emphasizes structured inventory fields, topology context, network-change awareness, notification rules, and exports, including CMDB/i-doit export.
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These are differences in stated feature scope, not results of independent comparative testing. Choose based on what you need to maintain:
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
- Discovery and identification: LAN Orangutan focuses on scanning and remembering device labels, groups, and notes.
- Security and service changes: A tool with port-baseline alerts or vulnerability scanning may be more appropriate if you need those functions.
- Documented inventory and operations: Look for structured inventory, topology, notification, and export features if the scanner must feed a broader asset-management process.
- Deployment and visibility: Consider whether the scanner will run directly on a host or in Docker, and whether it must reach multiple routed networks or Tailscale peers.
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