Wireshark: Simplifying Network Traffic Analysis and Monitoring

Abstract
Wireshark is a tool that is widely used to analyze and monitor network traffics and packets because
of its simplicity and reliability to use. The tool can be used across all operating systems such as
Windows, Linux and Mac Os. It allows the experts to control, capture, monitor and check the flow
of the network traffic of an institution or organization. The installation and configuration of the
wireshark software is simple and it comes with fully packed packages required hence it less time
consuming and less tedious. Wireshark is a software that captures and display the network analysis
in real time then present it in a more readable and understandable format to the experts. They will
then perform packets capturing, color coding and packets filtering among others.
Wireshark is a great data packet sniffer widely used but is not actually the only tool used to analyze
the network. It can be expanded and widely used by the support of the complementary tools. There
are several plugins that are widely used and also platforms which enhance the the Wireshark
capabilities and functionality. The tool also has friendly user interface that allow users to express
their own desired alerts so that they can be informed when the changes occur in a network that are
unusual. For instance if the new device tries to connect then the system will automatically detects
and give out the signal on the display. The live data that is being generated can be also be converted
into reports and it can be used to generate more insights.
The application can be used to troubleshoot the suspicious traffics in a network hence the network
engineers can quickly solve the issue before its intentions are fulfilled. Incase you want to inspect
and analyze specific thing, for instance the traffic program sends when making a phone call to
home, then it helps close down all other network applications to narrow down the network traffic.
Wireshark filters will then be applicable here were larger amount of packets is to be filtered.
SolarWinds being the leading network management tool for solutions on the market, its
performance provides useful information to the expertise and IT admins that is extensive on its
functionality for monitoring and ensuring the network safety. Bandwidth monitoring across the
network will help the user to track the live changes taking place through performance in the
dashboard analysis.
Introduction
Network comprises of network protocols and OSI model layers. Network protocol is set of standard
rules and policies with structured procedures and formats that will make communication connection
between two or more devices with a network. OSI model layers is network framework that clearly
defines the layers of network in 7 layers. The layers has there own and different function. The layers
mutually depends on each other and they are arranged and presented in certain way that will relay
and pass information to each other without the loss or addition of data. Communications in a
network is facilitated by the use of standard software that clearly allows the follow of traffic and
packets of data without any interference by any external factors. Information in institutions and
organizations is the most important and key factor to be consider since good communication will
facilitate the success of the plans and projects. Therefore, the analysis of network traffics and
packets will then give the precise data and any problem can be spotted and solved before the the
data is corrupted and interfered by malicious people or generally lose of data by workers within the
institutions.
Network management system is software applications that are used by the network engineers and
experts to manage and control the small network within a larger network by performing key

functions. The main function of these applications is to identify, configure, update and troubleshot
network devices available with the network that is being managed. Both wired and wireless devices
are managed by this applications. The data collected will then be used by the network experts and
engineers to make the changes where appropriate. These applications are very important for perfect
and precise network management analysis. Wireshark is a great data packet sniffer widely used but
is not actually the only tool used to analyze the network. It can be expanded and widely used by the
support of the complementary tools. There are several plugins that are widely used and also
platforms which enhance the the Wireshark capabilities and functionality. The tool also has friendly
user interface that allow users to express their own desired alerts so that they can be informed when
the changes occur in a network that are unusual. For instance if the new device tries to connect then
the system will automatically detects and give out the signal on the display. The live data that is
being generated can be also be converted into reports and it can be used to generate more insights.
How To Use Wireshark In Analysis Of A Network
Wireshark software can be downloaded in there official website. It is available across all the
operating systems such as Windows, MacOS and Linux. It is easy to download since only simple
procedures are involved. It also comes with fully packed and required tools hence no more packages
downloading and configuring. Wireshark is a great data packet sniffer widely used but is not
actually the only tool used to analyze the network. It can be expanded and widely used by the
support of the complementary tools [2]. There are several plugins that are widely used and also
platforms which enhance the the Wireshark capabilities and functionality. The tool also has friendly
user interface that allow users to express their own desired alerts so that they can be informed when
the changes occur in a network that are unusual. For instance if the new device tries to connect then
the system will automatically detects and give out the signal on the display. The live data that is
being generated can be also be converted into reports and it can be used to generate more insights.

Wireshark is a software that captures and display the network analysis in real time then present it in
a more readable and understandable format to the experts. They will then perform packets
capturing, color coding and packets filtering among others [1].
The application can be used to troubleshoot the suspicious traffics in a network hence the network
engineers can quickly solve the issue before its intentions are fulfilled.

Functions Of Wireshark
1) Packets Capturing
After downloading and installing, then the application is ready to use. Now if you want to analyze a
specific network for instance wireless then click the name of the wireless network after powering on
the application as shown below[3].
After clicking on the interface name of the network then the packets will be shown in real time. If
by any chance the promiscuous mode is enabled by default, then all packets are in the network will
also be visible apart from your packets only of your network to be analyzed. To enable the
promiscuous mode then click on Capture > Options and verify by checking all checkbox then click
on activate to finalize the process as shown below;