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Wireshark

Wireshark

Overview

What is Wireshark?

Wireshark is a free and open source network troubleshooting tool.

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Pricing

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Wireshark

Free

On Premise

Entry-level set up fee?

  • No setup fee

Offerings

  • Free Trial
  • Free/Freemium Version
  • Premium Consulting/Integration Services
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Product Demos

Local and Remote Sniffing with Wireshark

YouTube

Wireshark demo (simple http)

YouTube

Saving Files From Wireshark

YouTube

Brim Demo

YouTube

How to Use Wireshark's Follow TCP Stream Feature

YouTube

Wireshark SIP Capture

YouTube
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Product Details

What is Wireshark?

Wireshark is a free and open source network troubleshooting tool.

Wireshark Technical Details

Deployment TypesOn-premise
Operating SystemsWindows, Linux, Mac
Mobile ApplicationNo

Frequently Asked Questions

Wireshark is a free and open source network troubleshooting tool.

Wireshark starts at $0.

Reviewers rate Usability and Support Rating highest, with a score of 10.

The most common users of Wireshark are from Enterprises (1,001+ employees).
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Comparisons

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Reviews From Top Reviewers

(1-5 of 18)

Great Open Source Software to Resolve Network Issues via Packet Sniffing

Rating: 7 out of 10
July 27, 2021
AC
Vetted Review
Verified User
Wireshark
5 years of experience
Wireshark is used at the IT department of our company and those with a lot of development and IT experience. It's being used to troubleshoot when software or script communication fails and troubleshoot network-related issues. It's also being used when we suspect there may be a security flaw and need to analyze packets for potential problems.
  • Inspect Network Packets
  • Troubleshoot Software Issues
  • Solve Router and Switch Problems
Cons
  • Not for the Novice User
  • Trouble Reading Some Types Encrypted Traffic
  • Interface Could Use an Update
Wireshark is excellent for analyzing traffic across your computer or network. When there are communication issues between software, scripts, router, and switches, Wireshark will help troubleshoot the issue at hand. Wireshark is great at analyzing a wide variety of protocols and packets that are transferred. However, there is a really steep learning curve bunched up with an interface that could be modernized.

Wireshark

Rating: 7 out of 10
November 04, 2016
Vetted Review
Verified User
Wireshark
2 years of experience
Wireshark is being used across our organization to trouble shoot all network related issues. We are also using it to trouble shoot application speed issues between locations.
  • Wireshark provides an immense amount of data. If the data is being sent you will be able to track it.
  • Will flag some notable information if you don't know what you are looking for.
  • Can analyze VoIP data as well.
Cons
  • It can be difficult to parse and filter data without working with Wireshark for a while. The amount of data can be overwhelming for first time users.
  • We have had difficulties getting it to run properly with MacOS
Wireshark can be used to find speed issues for an internal application slowing down between geographical locations. Wireshark works well for tracking down unmanaged switches and hubs that are causing issues in our network. If you have no idea what your are looking for, Wireshark may not be the way to go. Also when tracking issues with a web application, as there are easier tools to use for that.

Great Tool to Network Toubleshoot

Rating: 10 out of 10
March 31, 2017
YS
Vetted Review
Verified User
Wireshark
5 years of experience
Wireshark is used both in the network team and helpdesk team. It helps us to identify and troubleshoot network connectivity issues.
  • It can help us to determine the network issue such as if it would be at the application level or network routing issue.
  • It also can identify how the source and destination communicate.
  • It can track the network traffic to determine the actually network flow.
Cons
  • I find it's pretty easy to use and have been a fan of it.
It's one of the best network tools for our network engineers.

Wireshark - Perfect Tool for Network Admins

Rating: 10 out of 10
March 03, 2018
MF
Vetted Review
Verified User
Wireshark
15 years of experience
We use Wireshark to troubleshoot network problems - both wired and wireless. It's not uncommon to get a ticket from a user stating that the network is "slow". Since that is always less then helpful, we usually (after basic troubleshooting steps) start a Wireshark capture closest tot he endpoint with the issue. Invariably, we are always able to find the issue - whether it's endpoint or switch related - or even if it's something downstream. We've managed to train some of the IT staff in how to do a capture - so even if they don't understand what they are looking at, they are familiar with grapping a pcap file for our review.
  • Displays data (network captures) in a logical, clear way that enables you to easily see what is happening on the wire.
  • Provides expert help and color codes packet types so it's easy to quickly pick out different types of traffic.
  • Separates the data into three panes so you can get an overview, packet details, and see string data.
Cons
  • Can be a little intimidating right out of the box.
Wireshark is awesome for troubleshooting network issues. It gives you a direct view into what is happening on the wire. It takes the guesswork out of knowing what is happening on the wire - you can tell whether there are delays from web sites; file servers; voice issues. Yes - it is great for troubleshooting SIP traffic also.

It does not do massive file captures; it does not do a good job on massive packet capture files. If you are capturing traffic on a ten-gig or higher port, use tcpdump or some other mechanism to grab the data. Then use tshark (or one of the other included tools) to parse out what you need (time range, or specific type of traffic) to analyze inside wireshark.

Wireshark Is A Must Have for Network Admins

Rating: 10 out of 10
July 27, 2021
MB
Vetted Review
Verified User
Wireshark
5 years of experience
Wireshark allows us to capture traffic on our network and see if there is any unusual activity that we need to worry about. It also allows us to track specific users' data to find if there are issues relating to client/server connectivity.
  • Capture Network Traffic - This really is the essential functionality of Wireshark as without consistent data capture there is nothing to analyze
  • Filtering - We need to often filter for specific data that we are looking for.
  • Live Capture as well as offline analysis - This gives us the flexibility to do what we need to do when we need to do it.
Cons
  • A more user-friendly interface would be nice, but then again it is not really designed for those who are not quite comfortable with this type of software.
  • Changes to functionality on updates - this can sometimes happen unexpectedly and can be an annoyance.
  • More powerful data processing would be welcomed
Wireshark is great for forensic analysis of network traffic. If users are having issues, or if we are seeing connectivity issues for VPN users, or if there is suspicion of unexpected or unwanted traffic on the network, Wireshark can help to find the source of any/all of these. With filtering by key values, protocols, or IPs, this can be a very powerful tool.
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