---
title: "Linux and Unix scanning requirements | Lansweeper Platform"
slug: "linux-and-unix-scanning-requirements"
description: "Review the requirements to scan Linux and Unix computers with Lansweeper Network Discovery over SSH, including OpenSSH and an account that can run uname."
tags: ["Lansweeper Platform", "Discovery and scanning", "Network Discovery"]
updated: 2026-09-25T16:05:15Z
published: 2026-09-25T16:05:15Z
canonical: "docs.lansweeper.com/linux-and-unix-scanning-requirements"
stale: true
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.lansweeper.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Linux and Unix scanning requirements

Network Discovery scans Linux and Unix computers over SSH. Other protocols, such as SNMP, can return some data, but SSH gives the most detailed results.

To scan a Linux or Unix computer, you need SSH enabled and a discovery credential for an account that can run a small set of read-only commands.

## Requirements

Every Linux or Unix computer you scan must meet these requirements:

- **SSH**: SSH must be enabled. We recommend OpenSSH. Network Discovery connects over TCP 22.
- **Credential**: An [SSH discovery credential](/docs/create-discovery-credentials) for an account that can at least run the `uname` command. Full root access isn't required, but an account with sudo rights is recommended, since some commands run through sudo.

Network Discovery runs a set of read-only commands, such as `uname`, to collect the operating system, processor, memory, and installed software. Both password and certificate-based SSH authentication are supported.

## Verify and enable SSH

1. Check whether OpenSSH is installed. Use your package manager or run one of these commands:
  - Debian, Linux Mint, Ubuntu: `dpkg -s openssh`
  - Fedora, Red Hat: `rpm -q openssh`
  - Manjaro (Arch): `pacman -Q openssh`
2. Install the OpenSSH server if it isn't present. Use your package manager or run one of these commands:
  - Debian, Linux Mint, Ubuntu: `sudo apt-get install openssh-server`
  - Fedora, Red Hat: `sudo yum install openssh`
  - Manjaro (Arch): `sudo pacman -S openssh`
3. Enable SSH to start automatically, then start the service:

```
sudo systemctl enable sshd
sudo systemctl start sshd
```
4. Verify that SSH is running. If the command returns output, SSH is active:

```
ps -e | grep sshd
```

## Next steps

- [Create discovery credentials](/docs/create-discovery-credentials) for the Linux and Unix computers you want to scan.
- [Create a discovery action](/docs/create-a-network-discovery-action) to define what to scan, when, and with which credentials.

The Lansweeper Platform capability that discovers IP-connected devices on your network, including IT, OT, and IoT devices, and keeps their data up to date in your site. Network Discovery is made up of the hub, the IT sensor, the OT sensor, and the traffic sensor. The IT Agent and Cloud Discovery are separate discovery methods.

The authentication details Lansweeper uses to access an asset or service during discovery, such as a username and password, an SSH key, or an SNMP community string. Each credential has a type that matches the protocol or service it's used for, for example Windows (WMI/DCOM), SSH, SNMP, Active Directory, or VMware vCenter.