Title: Network Fingerprinting
Description: Scan and identify devices on your Ethernet network
URL: /latest/ethernet/fingerprinting/
Version: latest
Section: Ethernet
Search index: /search-index.json

# Network Fingerprinting

> Scan and identify devices on your Ethernet network

## On this page

- [How to Use](#how-to-use)
- [Via Terminal](#via-terminal)
- [Via GhostLink Display Menu](#via-ghostlink-display-menu)
- [Troubleshooting](#troubleshooting)

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Network fingerprinting discovers and identifies devices on your Ethernet network. GhostESP scans for common protocols to build a device profile.
When you run a fingerprint scan, GhostESP listens for network traffic and service announcements to identify devices. It looks for:
- mDNS - Service announcements (printers, speakers, etc.)
- NBNS (NetBIOS Name Service) - Windows device name broadcasts
- SSDP - UPnP device announcements
Fingerprinting requires the Ethernet build (CONFIG_WITH_ETHERNET). Reach the device through the GhostLink display menu or terminal, and make sure the network has active devices.
## How to Use
### Via Terminal
Run the fingerprint scan from the terminal:
ethfp
The scan runs three sequential sub-scans (mDNS, NBNS, SSDP) at approximately 3 seconds each, totaling around 9 seconds. Discovered devices are printed as a - title line followed by indented fields:
- Living-Room-TV
IP: 192.168.1.100
Type: Samsung
Service: upnp
OS: Tizen
Protocol: SSDP
Each discovered device shows:
- IP Address - The device’s IP on the network
- Device Name - Hostname or friendly name if available
- Device Type - Detected manufacturer or device category (Samsung, Apple, Google, etc.)
- Service Type - Protocol used for detection (mDNS, SSDP, NBNS)
- OS Info - Operating system or device model if detected
Service and OS lines are omitted when that information was not discovered.
### Via GhostLink Display Menu
- Connect to the GhostESP device via GhostLink
- Navigate to Ethernet menu
- Select Fingerprint Scan
- Wait for the scan to complete (approximately 9 seconds)
- View the list of discovered devices
## Troubleshooting
- No devices found: Ensure devices are powered on and on the same network. Some devices don’t broadcast.
- Timeout: The scan takes about 9 seconds (three ~3-second sub-scans). If no devices appear, run the scan again.