What are Packet Sniffers?
Sniffers capture byte-by-byte data being sent across the network; in effect, they examine the packets traversing the network in the rawest form. The captured packets can then be analyzed (a process known as packet analysis or protocol analysis) to reveal information about the packets: their protocol, source, destination, etc. This information can then be used to keep a watch on the incoming and outgoing packets, which can be used to troubleshoot network problems. I am aware that there are other packet sniffers available, but it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the huge lists of features in the existing products. This article is intended to show that anyone with the passion and zeal can develop their own sniffer, and add whatever resources they prefer.
