Wireshark Unwrapped: What It Can and Can't Do
*This article is an English translation of the Engineer Notes article as of July 29, 2022.
*Please note that the content may have been updated since then.
When most think of packet capture tools, 'Wireshark' is likely the first name that comes to mind. It is well-known among networking professionals, as it is open-source software that anyone can use easily. If you haven't tried it yet, please download it from the Wireshark download page. There's no need for complex user registration, and you can start capturing packets right away.
Here, I will explain the capabilities and limitations of Wireshark and discuss scenarios where a paid tool might be necessary.
Contents
Two Functions of Wireshark
Wireshark primarily has two functions: the 'Packet Capture Function' and the 'Display and Analysis (Protocol Analyzer) Function'.
For capturing, Wireshark uses drivers like 'Npcap (for Windows)' or 'Libpcap (for Linux)'. Previously, Winpcap was used for Windows in versions before Wireshark Ver. 2.x, but due to lack of ongoing maintenance, it has been replaced by Npcap from Ver. 3.x onwards. The switch from Winpcap to Npcap allows for capturing localhost traffic on Windows, which was only possible on Linux before. This feature is particularly useful for server verification.
The other function is the display and analysis capabilities. This involves analyzing captured packets from various perspectives, translating between layers, providing statistics, and graphically representing data, all of which are invaluable features available for free.
Why Paid Tools are Necessary
Even with Wireshark available, there are three main reasons why you might need paid tools:
- Guaranteed Performance
- Custom Data Analysis
- Comprehensive Support
This is an important consideration when comparing open-source software with paid products. I explain each point in detail.
Guaranteed Performance
While Wireshark indeed has a capture function, capturing high-load traffic continuously can be challenging. General hardware may handle up to about 1Gbps, but at 10Gbps, specialized hardware and architecture are needed to continue capturing without loss. Determining whether packets were never present or lost by the tool during capture can often be difficult.
Paid tools guarantee performance from the outset, thus allowing for the selection of a product tailored to specific needs from the beginning.
Tailored Data Analysis
Wireshark's packet analysis capabilities are impressive; however, it is somewhat less adept at quickly summarizing what has happened from large volumes of packets. Continuous data analysis from packets might be feasible by combining existing open-source software (OSS) or creating custom software, but this can be costly.
Paid tools are equipped with advanced features such as statistical analysis and graphical displays, purpose-built for handling large volumes of data. This setup allows you to extract necessary data and perform detailed analyses with tools like Wireshark.
Comprehensive Support
For products used over the long term, support is crucial. Severe vulnerabilities may be discovered during operation, or there may be a need to upgrade operating systems or third-party packages. Paid tools have a clear support policy that typically covers these issues.
Moreover, if you desire specialized product training, comprehensive manuals, and prompt support during troubles, paid tools generally offer more robust support options compared to free tools.
Packet Capture Product 'SYNESIS'
Our company develops and sells the packet capture product 'SYNESIS', which is now sold in 17 countries and regions around the world. We are seeing a 200% increase in orders compared to last year, thanks to a specialized overseas promotion project aimed at reaching 300 million yen in sales over three years.
SYNESIS can capture large volumes of traffic exceeding 10Gbps without packet loss. It allows for visualization of captured traffic and the creation of statistical reports over long-term, continuous capturing. Wireshark comes pre-installed on SYNESIS, so you can utilize its excellent analytical functions right out of the box.
We also offer a comprehensive maintenance support system, including 24/365 support and long-term maintenance plans, ensuring that you can use our product with peace of mind, supported by fault response, vulnerability management, software updates, and customer inquiries all handled under the maintenance contract.
Afterword
If you've realized the importance of packet capture with Wireshark, please consider also exploring our paid tool 'SYNESIS', which can enhance your packet capturing and analysis capabilities when combined with Wireshark.
