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How To Capture and Inspect Various Network Protocols On Your Wireless Network Using Wireshark (Non-Expert Instructions)

Wireshark is a network analyzer tool that can capture and inspect network packet data. It works by intercepting packets passing through a computer's network interface. The document provides step-by-step non-expert and expert level instructions for downloading, installing, and using Wireshark to capture packets from a wireless network. Key steps include choosing the appropriate network interface, viewing captured packet data in real-time, sorting packets by category/filter, and examining detailed packet information.

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127 views6 pages

How To Capture and Inspect Various Network Protocols On Your Wireless Network Using Wireshark (Non-Expert Instructions)

Wireshark is a network analyzer tool that can capture and inspect network packet data. It works by intercepting packets passing through a computer's network interface. The document provides step-by-step non-expert and expert level instructions for downloading, installing, and using Wireshark to capture packets from a wireless network. Key steps include choosing the appropriate network interface, viewing captured packet data in real-time, sorting packets by category/filter, and examining detailed packet information.

Uploaded by

api-438880938
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Joseph Kim

English 393

How to capture and inspect various network protocols on your wireless network using
Wireshark (Non-Expert Instructions)
Wireshark is a network analyzer, also known as a packet sniffer, that is a tool used to
inspect data passing through a network interface. It picks up bits of data that contain pieces of
information called packets. Everything that moves through the internet contains packets;
therefore, these packets can provide the user meaningful data to help solve or complete a task.
Useful Definitions:
Capture: Intercepting a data packet moving across a computer network.
Traffic: Data moving across a network.
Network Interface: Connection between a computer and a network.

Let’s get started.


1. Start by going to
https://www.wireshark.org/

2. Go to the download tab and


select the link for the
software specified for
individual system needs.
Make sure your computer
meets the requirements to
run Wireshark. System
information can be found in
computer settings.

3. Install and complete the


setup process.

4. Now launch the program.


5. The Wireshark widow Figure 1.
should open and show
interfaces available for
capture as seen in Figure 1.

6. To capture traffic on your


wireless network, click on
the network interface
labeled Wi-Fi.

7. After opening the interface,


the main window should Figure 2.
show up, shown in Figure 2,
displaying the captured
files.

8. At this point all packets on the network and packets addressed to your own network
will be visible in real time in the packet list plane.

9. Click stop to pause packet


traffic.

10. The packets can be sorted


by the various categories
provided if necessary.
Categories
11. To gain more details of the
incoming traffic, click on
one of the packets and
further details will appear in
the packet details plane.

12. This plane will show the Packet Details Plane


protocols and protocol fields
of the selected packet.

13. You may save the packets


for later viewing if you
choose by going to file in
the top left corner and then
save.

14. You have now completed the process of capturing and inspecting network packets.
Joseph Kim
English 393

How to capture and inspect various network protocols on your wireless network using
Wireshark (Expert Instructions)
Wireshark is a network analyzer, also known as a packet sniffer, that is a tool used to
inspect data passing through a network interface. With this tool you will be able to capture
packets to obtain meaningful data to help solve or complete a task.

Let’s get started.


1. Start by going to
https://www.wireshark.org/

2. Go to the download tab and


select the link for the
software specified for
individual system needs.

3. Install and complete the


setup process.

4. Launch the program.

5. The Wireshark widow


should open and show
interfaces available for
capture.

6. To capture traffic on your


wireless network, choose
the appropriate interface.
7. After opening the interface,
the main window should
show up, displaying the
captured files.

8. At this point all packets on the network and packets addressed to your own network
will be visible in real time in the packet list plane.

9. Click stop to pause packet


traffic.

10. The packets can be sorted


by the various categories Filter Bar
provided if necessary or by
entering a filter in the filter
bar.
Categories
11. To gain more details of the
incoming traffic, click on
one of the packets and
further information will
appear in the packet details
plane.
Packet Details Plane
12. This plane will show the
protocols and protocol fields
of the selected packet.

13. Right below packet details


plane is the packet bytes
pane that shows the actual
bytes of the packet and what
the encoding means.

Packet Bytes Plane

14. You may save the packets


for later viewing if you
choose by going to file in
the top left corner and then
save.

15. You have now completed the initial process of capturing and inspecting network
packets. With further investigation, in depth information can be found by using the
various features provided by Wireshark.

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