Packet Sniffer with PRTG

Packet sniffing is the process of capturing each packet that is transmitted over the network and analyzing its content. Most of the time, packet sniffing is used to troubleshoot network problems or to gather network statistics. The software or device used for capturing packet data is called packet sniffer, packet analyzer, network sniffer, or simply network analyzer.

A packet sniffer, also known as a network analyzer or protocol analyzer, is a tool used to capture, analyze, and monitor network traffic. It offers several benefits, particularly in network management, security, and troubleshooting. Here are the key benefits:

• Network troubleshooting: Packet sniffers help pinpoint network issues like bottlenecks, latency, and dropped packets. They can inspect protocol-level details to diagnose misconfigurations or malfunctions. By monitoring traffic flow, sniffers can identify why a connection is failing, such as due to a firewall rule or incorrect routing.
• Performance monitoring: Packet sniffers can monitor which devices or applications are consuming excessive bandwidth. Understanding traffic patterns can help optimize network performance and capacity planning.
• Cybersecurity and threat detection: Packet sniffers can detect unauthorized access by hackers, unusual traffic, or potential threats like malware communication. They help analyze malicious activity by capturing evidence of hacking attempts or unauthorized data exfiltration.

Option #1: Monitor data traffic on one device

If you wish to monitor just one single device or endpoint – such as your web server – then do the following: Install a remote probe on the device. Create a Packet Sniffer sensor and select the kind of traffic you want to monitor. You can usually choose between the most important network protocols.

Option #2: Monitor all your data traffic

If you wish to monitor your entire IT infrastructure, you must ensure that all your data traffic is captured. Set up a monitoring port on a central router or switch. Use a network cable to connect the router or switch to the network card of a computer that is running a PRTG probe. Copies of all data packets are now traveling via your probe system and you can create a Packet Sniffer sensor on the corresponding probe device. Filter according to the information you wish you monitor.

Mail traffic sniffing with PRTG

IT managers and system administrators need to be informed immediately if mail traffic suddenly goes through the roof. Spikes in traffic can be caused by a single email. On the other hand, maybe your mail server has been attacked. Traffic sniffing is therefore vital to the security of your network.

File transfer sniffing with PRTG

You’ll also want to keep an eye on your FTP servers. Here, traffic sniffing means making sure uploads and downloads function properly. But that’s not all: it also lets you detect disruptions or unusual spikes in data.

LAN sniffing with PRTG

Many administrators are in search of LAN sniffer or Wi-Fi sniffers. Why? Because spikes in ethernet or wireless network traffic can lead to malfunctions and disruptions, causing performance to plummet. LAN sniffing is also useful for getting an overall idea of the resources and data types that are generating the most traffic.

In PRTG, “sensors” are the basic monitoring elements. One sensor usually monitors one measured value in your network, for example the traffic of a switch port, the CPU load of a server, or the free space on a disk drive. On average, you need about 5-10 sensors per device or one sensor per switch port.