I like to use the "lsscsi" program, which is probably available for your distribution.
% lsscsi
[0:0:0:0] cd/dvd NECVMWar VMware IDE CDR00 1.00 /dev/sr0
[2:0:0:0] disk VMware, VMware Virtual S 1.0 /dev/sda
[2:0:1:0] disk VMware, VMware Virtual S 1.0 /dev/sdb
As for rescanning the bus, that's pretty much it.