Packet analyzer

Screenshot of Wireshark network protocol analyzer

A packet analyzer (also packet sniffer or network analyzer)[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] is a computer program or computer hardware such as a packet capture appliance that can analyze and log traffic that passes over a computer network or part of a network.[9] Packet capture is the process of intercepting and logging traffic. As data streams flow across the network, the analyzer captures each packet and, if needed, decodes the packet's raw data, showing the values of various fields in the packet, and analyzes its content according to the appropriate RFC or other specifications.

A packet analyzer used for intercepting traffic on wireless networks is known as a wireless analyzer - those designed specifically for Wi-Fi networks are Wi-Fi analyzers.[a] While a packet analyzer can also be referred to as a network analyzer or protocol analyzer these terms can also have other meanings. Protocol analyzer can technically be a broader, more general class that includes packet analyzers/sniffers.[10] However, the terms are frequently used interchangeably.[11]

  1. ^ Chapple, Mike; Stewart, James Michael; Gibson, Darril (2018). (ISC)2 CISSP Certified Information Systems Security Professional Official Study Guide. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-1-119-47587-3. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved March 23, 2023. A sniffer (also called a packet analyzer or protocol analyzer) is a software application that captures traffic traveling over the network.
  2. ^ Rakibul, Hoque, Md; Edward, Bashaw, R. (2020). Cross-Border E-Commerce Marketing and Management. IGI Global. p. 186. ISBN 978-1-7998-5824-9. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved March 23, 2023. Packet Sniffing: It is also known as packet analyzer, protocol analyzer{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ Trost, Ryan (2009). Practical Intrusion Analysis: Prevention and Detection for the Twenty-First Century: Prevention and Detection for the Twenty-First Century. Pearson Education. ISBN 978-0-321-59188-3. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved March 23, 2023. A packet sniffer (also known as a packet analyzer, protocol analyzer, or networkanalyzer) monitors network traffic
  4. ^ Cyber Law, Privacy, and Security: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications. IGI Global. 2019. p. 58. ISBN 978-1-5225-8898-6. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved March 23, 2023. Packet Sniffing: A packet analyzer, also called as a network analyzer, protocol analyzer or packet sniffer
  5. ^ Asrodia, Pallavi; Patel, Hemlata (2012). "Analysis of Various Packet Sniffing Tools for Network Monitoring and Analysis". International Journal of Electrical, Electronics and Computer Engineering: 55. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.429.567. ISSN 2277-2626. Packet Sniffing... also known as Network or Protocol Analyzer or Ethernet Sniffer
  6. ^ "What is a Packet Sniffer?". www.kaspersky.com. 2018. Archived from the original on August 30, 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
  7. ^ "What is Network Packet Capture?". www.endace.com. 2023. Archived from the original on July 30, 2023. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  8. ^ "Definition of network analyzer". PCMAG. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
  9. ^ Kevin J. Connolly (2003). Law of Internet Security and Privacy. Aspen Publishers. p. 131. ISBN 978-0-7355-4273-0.
  10. ^ Sikos, Leslie F. (2020). "Packet analysis for network forensics: A comprehensive survey". Forensic Science International: Digital Investigation. 32: 200892. doi:10.1016/j.fsidi.2019.200892. ISSN 2666-2817. S2CID 212863330. Those protocol analyzers that are designed for packet analysis are called packet analyzers (packet sniffers, sometimes network analyzers).
  11. ^ Poulton, Don (2012). MCTS 70-642 Cert Guide: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring. Pearson Education. ISBN 978-0-13-280216-1. Archived from the original on April 13, 2023. Retrieved March 23, 2023. protocol analyzer. Also known as a network analyzer or packet analyzer, a protocol analyzer is a hardware device or software program that enables you to capture, store, and analyze each packet that crosses your network


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