Frequently Asked Questions
Explore common questions and answers to help you configure scanners, estimate capacity, and optimize scan performance.
Do I need to install anything?
No. The tool is a single HTML file. Open it in any modern browser — no installation, no server, no internet connection required.
Are the estimates accurate?
The estimates are ballpark figures based on standard Qualys scan profile settings, recommended scanner sizing, and normal target network conditions. They assume this is the only scan running on the scanner. Actual duration varies with open ports, scan settings, authentication, network response, and vulnerability count. Always validate with a pilot scan before production rollout.
Where do I find my CPU speed and Hyperthreading status?
Check your VM's CPU spec in your virtualization platform (VMware, AWS, Azure, Oracle Cloud, and so on). Both values are also visible in the scanner's boot logs — no scanner deployment needed to check them.
What is the Concurrent Scans and Maps setting?
This is a back-office setting in your Qualys subscription that limits the number of VM/PC/MAP scan jobs that can run simultaneously across all scanners. It also caps the number of slices each scanner can process in parallel. Contact your Qualys subscription administrator if you need this value adjusted.
The planner says I need more scanners than I have. What should I do?
The Smart Recommendations section suggests one or more of the following:
- Add more scanners at your current spec.
- Upgrade to a larger scanner spec (more vCPUs / RAM).
- Split your target list into smaller scans spread across multiple windows.
- Enable Parallel ML Scaling (x3) if your scanners are adequately sized.
Why does a larger scanner spec stop helping after a certain point?
The Concurrent Scans and Maps limit the number of jobs (and therefore slices) that each scanner can run in parallel. Once a spec reaches that cap, upgrading further does not reduce scan time — only raising the limit or adding more scanners helps.
Can I use this tool for Perimeter (external) scanning?
Yes. Select Virtual Perimeter as the scanner type. The tool applies a pool cap based on your External Scanners to Use setting, and recommendations do not suggest exceeding that count.
Does the tool work offline?
Yes. Once the page is loaded, all calculations run in your browser. No data is sent to any server.
For questions or assistance with scanner sizing, configuration, or diagnosing performance issues, contact Qualys Support.