Performance settings for maps

You can customize performance settings in an option profile. Go to the Map section in your profile to configure map performance.

Important: Performance settings should only be customized under special circumstances by users with an in-depth knowledge of the target network and available bandwidth resources.

Did you know? Our Inference-based scanning engine uses adaptive technology. If the network response degrades during scanning, we automatically throttle back the rate in which packets are sent.

Tell me about the settings

Do the performance settings apply to all maps?Do the performance settings apply to all maps?

No, the settings only apply when mapping domains with netblocks:

- optimized for mapping netblocks greater than 4 Class C networks

- little effect when mapping smaller netblocks

- if no netblock, only packet delay option is relevant

Overall performance levelsOverall performance levels

High - Optimized for speed. May be faster to complete but may overload firewalls and other networking devices.

Normal - Recommended as best practice in most cases. Well balanced between intensity and speed.

Low - Optimized for low bandwidth network connections. May take longer to complete.

Netblocks to map in parallelNetblocks to map in parallel

Set the maximum number of netblocks to map at the same time per external scanner and per scanner appliance. If you do not have a scanner appliance, disregard the Scanner Appliance setting. Note: The setting for netblocks to map in parallel may have an impact on your network bandwidth. This setting does not affect responsiveness for individual hosts and services. If your network or network devices become overloaded, adjust this setting accordingly.

Also specify the maximum number of IPs per netblock being mapped (netblock size). The netblock specified for the domain is broken into smaller netblocks for processing. Each of these smaller netblocks equals a single map process. Use this setting to define how many IPs should be included in each process.

Example: Let's say you're mapping a Class B network (64000 IPs) using the Normal performance level. For the Normal performance level, the netblock size is set to 16384 IPs which means that the Class B range will be split into 4 netblocks. A separate map process will handle each of these smaller netblocks, which completes faster than if you mapped all 64000 IPs in a single process.

Packet delayPacket delay

This is the delay between groups of packets sent to the netblocks being mapped. A short delay means that packets are sent more frequently, resulting in more bandwidth utilization and a shorter mapping time. A long delay means that packets are sent less frequently, resulting in less bandwidth utilization and a longer mapping time. The packet delay is set in seconds. Each performance level has been assigned a delay time appropriate for the performance level.