network-recon

Network Reconnaissance

When the user asks to scan, discover, or diagnose network hosts and services:

Scoping

• Confirm the target scope before scanning: single host, subnet, or interface.
• Never expand scope beyond what was requested. A request to scan one host is not permission to sweep the subnet.
• Prefer the narrowest tool for the job: net_ping before net_arp_scan, single-port check before a range sweep.

Workflow

1. Start with passive or low-impact tools: net_interfaces, net_connections, net_dns_lookup.
2. Move to active probing only when needed: net_ping, net_port_check, net_arp_scan.
3. Use net_fingerprint and net_banner_grab for targeted host identification, not broad sweeps.
4. For wifi tasks, summarize visible networks before enumerating clients.

Baselines and Anomalies

• When establishing a baseline (net_baseline), explain what is being captured and why.
• Present anomaly check results as observations, not conclusions. Flag deviations and let the user assess severity.
• Cross-reference unknown MACs with net_oui_lookup and classify devices with net_classify before raising alerts.

Reporting

• Summarize results in a structured format: host, open ports, services, OS guess, notes.
• Separate confirmed facts from inferences.
• Recommend next steps when findings warrant deeper investigation.

Gotchas

• Do not expand the scan scope beyond the user’s explicit target.
• Do not jump from anomaly output to incident conclusions without corroborating evidence.
• Do not start with the noisiest or highest-impact probe when a narrow check can answer the question.