Here’s a write-up on SADP (Search and Discovery Protocol) tools for macOS , focusing on their purpose, available tools, and how to use them effectively.
SADP Tools for macOS: Discovering and Configuring Network Devices What is SADP? SADP (Search and Discovery Protocol) is a proprietary network protocol developed by Hikvision and adopted by many other surveillance and network device manufacturers (e.g., Dahua, Uniview, Axis). It allows a client to discover IP cameras, NVRs, DVRs, and other devices on the same local network segment — even when those devices have unknown or factory-default IP addresses. SADP typically works by sending a UDP broadcast on port 37020 (for Hikvision) or similar ports. Devices respond with their IP, MAC address, serial number, firmware version, and configuration status. Why Use SADP on macOS? By default, most SADP utilities are distributed as Windows .exe files. macOS users need alternatives because:
You cannot run the official Windows-only SADP tool directly without emulation. Many network discovery tools (Angry IP Scanner, nmap) can find open ports but cannot retrieve device-specific metadata or modify IP settings. SADP allows password resets , IP assignment , firmware updates , and device activation — features not available in generic scanners.
Available SADP-Compatible Tools for macOS 1. Official SADP Tool (via Wine/Crossover) sadp tools mac
Approach : Run the Windows .exe using Wine, CrossOver, or Parallels Desktop. Pros : Full manufacturer features (activate, modify IP, export device list). Cons : Requires Wine setup; not native; may have USB/driver issues.
2. Hikvision SADP for macOS (Legacy)
Hikvision once released a native macOS version (SADPTool.dmg) for older OS versions (up to macOS 10.13). It may still work on newer macOS in Rosetta mode. Download : Available on Hikvision’s partner portal or third-party archives (checksum-verify before use). Note : Not actively maintained; may fail on Apple Silicon. Here’s a write-up on SADP (Search and Discovery
3. Open-Source Python SADP Clients
Example : hikvision-sadp (GitHub) or sadp-python . How it works : Sends raw SADP discovery packets and parses responses. Usage : pip install scapy python3 sadp_discover.py
Pros : Cross-platform, transparent, scriptable. Cons : No GUI; limited to discovery (IP change requires proprietary crypto). It allows a client to discover IP cameras,
4. ONVIF Device Manager (with SADP-like features)
Many ONVIF-compatible cameras respond to WS-Discovery. While not true SADP, it can find devices and change network settings if the camera supports ONVIF. macOS tool : ONVIF Device Manager (Java-based, runs on macOS). Limitation : Cannot activate a deactivated Hikvision camera (needs real SADP).