A network analyzer (also known as a packet analyzer, packet sniffer, or protocol analyzer) is software that intercepts and logs traffic that passes over a computer network or part of a network. Packet capture is the process of intercepting and logging traffic. As data streams flow across the network, the analyzer captures each packet and, if needed, decodes the packet’s raw data, showing the values of various fields in the packet, and analyzes its content according to the appropriate RFC or other specifications.
Maintaining a live network is one of a system administrator’s most essential tasks, and keeping a watchful eye over connected systems is essential to keeping a network functioning at its best.
A good network analyzer helps a network developer with daily Linux plumbing. They can be used for network development, debugging, analysis, auditing or network reconnaissance.
Here’s our verdict on the finest network analyzers, captured in a LinuxLinks ratings chart. We only feature free and open source software here.
Let’s explore the 18 network analyzers. For each application we have compiled its own portal page, a full description with an in-depth analysis of its features, together with links to relevant resources.
| Network Analyzers | |
|---|---|
| Wireshark | Network protocol analyzer with a rich and powerful feature set |
| Ettercap | Comprehensive suite for man in the middle attacks |
| Kismet | Wireless network and device detector, sniffer, wardriving tool |
| IPTraf-ng | Feature-laden network statistic monitoring tool |
| netsniff-ng | Swiss army knife for daily Linux network plumbing |
| Kyanos | Networking analysis tool using eBPF |
| EtherApe | Graphical network monitor |
| darkstat | Captures network traffic, calculates usage statistics, and serves reports |
| justniffer | Network TCP packet sniffer with reliable TCP flow rebuilding |
| tcpflow | TCP/IP packet demultiplexer |
| tcpdump | Powerful and hugely respected command-line packet analyzer |
| sniffglue | Packet sniffer written in Rust |
| sniffer | Alternative network traffic sniffer |
| dsniff | Collection of tools for network auditing and penetration testing |
| ngrep | grep applied to the network layer |
| Network Monitor | Rreal-time network connection monitoring tool |
| sniffit | CORBA based sniffer system with ncurses interactive mode |
| Jomon | Network forensics and sniffer tool |
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 Explore our comprehensive directory of recommended free and open source software. Our carefully curated collection spans every major software category.This directory is part of our ongoing series of informative articles for Linux enthusiasts. It features hundreds of detailed reviews, along with open source alternatives to proprietary solutions from major corporations such as Google, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, IBM, Cisco, Oracle, and Autodesk. You’ll also find interesting projects to try, hardware coverage, free programming books and tutorials, and much more. Know a useful open source Linux program that we haven’t covered yet? Let us know by completing this form. |