Diagnostic Tools
Sniffers

A network analyzer decodes the various protocol layers in a recorded frame and presents them as readable abbreviations or summaries. A network analyzer details which layer is involved and what function each byte or byte content serves. Network analyzers are also referred to as protocol analyzers or packet sniffers. Fluke provides two different dedicated devices, the OptiView and the WaveRunner, which both provide wireless analysis. Several wireless software packages are available including WildPackets, Airopeek, Network Stumbler, and Sniffer Wireless .

Most network analyzers can perform the following functions:

  • Filter traffic that meets certain criteria, for example, all traffic to and from a particular device can be captured
  • Time stamp captured data
  • Present protocol layers in an easily readable form
  • Generate frames and transmit them onto the network
  • Incorporate an expert system in which the analyzer uses a set of rules, combined with information about the network configuration and operation, to diagnose and solve network problems

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