Wireshark Captures What Kind of Traffic: Understanding Network Layers and Protocols

When it comes to understanding network communication, Wireshark is a powerful tool that helps you capture and analyze network traffic. But before we dive into the world of Wireshark, let's take a step back and understand the basics of networking, specifically the OSI model.

The Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model is a seven-layered framework that explains how devices communicate with each other over a network. The layers, in order, are:

* Application Layer: This layer provides services to end-user applications.

* Presentation Layer: It's responsible for data representation and encryption/decryption.

* Session Layer: Establishes and maintains sessions between devices using protocols like TCP and UDP.

* Transport Layer: Acts as a bridge between the network and session layers, adding sender and receiver IP addresses to the header.

* Network Layer: Finds the best route to send data packets.

* Data Link Layer: Ensures error-free transmission of data frames.

* Physical Layer: Responsible for physical connections between devices.

The OSI model is crucial in understanding Wireshark's capabilities. By segmenting network architecture into these seven layers, it becomes easier to analyze and troubleshoot network issues.

Wireshark is a powerful network analyzer that provides a user-friendly interface, unlike most security tools which are command-line based. It's also completely open-source, thanks to the contributions of network engineers worldwide.

Many enterprises and government organizations have adopted Wireshark as their standard network analyzer due to its ease of use and effectiveness in capturing and analyzing network traffic. What's more, it can run on all major operating systems, making it a versatile tool for any network administrator or security professional.

Wireshark was first released in 1998 (under the name Ethereal) and has since become one of the most widely used network analyzers in the world. With its ability to dissect packets at a microscopic level, providing detailed information on individual packets, Wireshark is an invaluable tool for anyone who needs to understand network communication.

In this article, we've explored the basics of networking using the OSI model and introduced you to Wireshark, a powerful tool that helps you capture and analyze network traffic. By understanding how Wireshark captures what kind of traffic, you'll be better equipped to troubleshoot issues and improve your overall network performance.