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Wireshark

Wireshark

Overview

What is Wireshark?

Wireshark is a free and open source network troubleshooting tool.

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Learn from top reviewers

Excellent Network Analysing, Monitoring and Troubleshooting application

Rating: 10 out of 10
September 21, 2024
IncentivizedVetted ReviewVerified User
We use it mainly for interrogation, analysis, and monitoring of network packets. Additionally where there are issues we use it for troubleshooting and remediating these issues...
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Verified user
Professional
Wireshark3 years of experience

Nothing is better than Wireshark

Rating: 10 out of 10
June 11, 2024
IncentivizedVetted ReviewVerified User
I work as a VoIP specialist in contact centers. It regularly happens that I have to study SIP calls to identify faults on gateways during Trunk installation. Wireshark is requ...
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Verified user
Consultant
Wireshark15 years of experience

Boosting Network Performance and Reliability with Wireshark!

Rating: 8 out of 10
June 11, 2024
IncentivizedVetted ReviewVerified User
The scope of our use case spans across our entire organization, from troubleshooting specific issues to ensuring secure and efficient network communication. When issues arise,...
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Verified user
Employee
Wireshark5 years of experience

Must have tool to work in or with Networks!

Rating: 10 out of 10
November 2, 2022
IncentivizedVetted ReviewVerified User
Receiving the TCAP messages has been never easy. This opensource tool easily capture TCAP during the calls for me on different INAP services. We also easily evaluate messages ...
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Kaveen Eashwarage
Manager - Research & Development
Manager - Special Projects
Central Finance Co PLC
Wireshark2 years of experience

Great open-source tool with a powerful toolset

Rating: 10 out of 10
October 31, 2022
IncentivizedVetted ReviewVerified User
I have used Wireshark to investigate network issues and mostly find lost IPs on the network. The GUI is amazing as well as the command line's speed works wonders. I also used ...
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Swapnil Madiwale
Administrator - Information Technology
Technology Lead
V ARCHITECTURE PTY LTD
Wireshark1 year of experience
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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

View all reviews
(1-5 of 21)

Wireshark

Rating: 7 out of 10
Incentivized
November 04, 2016
Verified User
Analyst in Information Technology
Automotive Company, 10,001+ employees
Vetted Review
Verified User
Wireshark
2 years of experience
Use Cases and Deployment Scope
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.
Pros
  • 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
Likelihood to Recommend
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.

WireShark

Rating: 9 out of 10
Incentivized
October 29, 2022
JO
Jorge Ortega
IT
Lea County Electric (Information Technology & Services, 51-200 employees)
Vetted Review
Verified User
Wireshark
1 year of experience
Use Cases and Deployment Scope
We have been using Wireshark for a few years, it allows us to take a deep view of out network and analyze what is being sent and received. We use it a lot when trying to trouble shoot connections that aren't acting how they are programmed to work. It also lets us troubleshoot our microwave network when our routers aren't working properly.
Pros
  • Inspection of protocols
  • Analysis of packets
  • Live data
Cons
  • More user friendly
  • A more detailed explanation of certain packets
Likelihood to Recommend
On different occasions we have had issues with our Microwave router Gui, where it can ping the ip but can't access the web interface. We used Wireshark to see the type of traffic that is being sent and received that allows us to eliminate certain problems and narrow down to the solution.

Great Tool to Network Toubleshoot

Rating: 10 out of 10
Incentivized
March 31, 2017
YS
Yuan Sun
Infrastructure Services Analyst Sr.
American Imaging Management (Hospital & Health Care, 1001-5000 employees)
Vetted Review
Verified User
Wireshark
5 years of experience
View profile
Use Cases and Deployment Scope
Wireshark is used both in the network team and helpdesk team. It helps us to identify and troubleshoot network connectivity issues.
Pros
  • 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.
Likelihood to Recommend
It's one of the best network tools for our network engineers.

Wireshark Is A Must Have for Network Admins

Rating: 10 out of 10
Incentivized
July 27, 2021
MB
Mauro Biefeni
Head of Information Technology
Mondetta Clothing (Apparel & Fashion, 51-200 employees)
Vetted Review
Verified User
Wireshark
5 years of experience
View profile
Use Cases and Deployment Scope
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.
Pros
  • 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
Likelihood to Recommend
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.

Wireshark - Perfect Tool for Network Admins

Rating: 10 out of 10
Incentivized
March 03, 2018
MF
Matthew Frederickson
Director of Information Technology
Council Rock School District (Education Management, 1001-5000 employees)
Vetted Review
Verified User
Wireshark
15 years of experience
View profile
Use Cases and Deployment Scope
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.
Pros
  • 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.
Likelihood to Recommend
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.
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