where can I download a decent FREE network sniffer?

[gman10]

Hello all-


I remember a site that offered a EtherPeek network sniffer.. the site has been de activated and need to know where to obtain one... any clues?

thx
gman

 

[jdel]

http://www.ethereal.com/

 

[rwullems]

etherpeek is still there at

http://www.wildpacktets.com

but it is not a free product. you can download a demo.

ethereal is good and free, otherwise try paketyzer, it is based on ethereal, also free and has some nice features and e better gui then ethereal.
look at:

http://www.networkchemistry.com/products/packetyzer/

regards,
robert

 

[patrckb]

Reading your subject line...

My experience has been that "decent" and "free" are contradictory when it comes to protocol analyzers.

Patrick

 

[gman10]

Thanks to all you guys, although I've tried both Etherpeek and EtherReal in the past.. I think I may give packetyzer a shot..

gman

 

[jdel]

ethereal works great for me. i use that in conjunction with flukenetwork's protocol expert and sniffer. as far as analyzers go they all seem to produce the same results. i do like how easily you can sort/search in ethereal.

 

[Fisc]

You might want to try Network Observer. You can download a limited eval and contact NI or a reseller for a 2 week full functioning license key. Go to:

http://networkvisibility.com/Download_page.htm

Observer is a great network analysis/ troubleshooting/ trending tool (and very affordable).

 

[patrckb]

Have you priced a Sniffer recently? They have cut their prices a lot. I think you'll be surprised.

You are right in saying that Observer is cheaper than Sniffer in a one-unit situation.

Network Instrument's pricing model is significantly different. We needed 4 distributed boxes / probes and 7 consoles. With Sniffer, you get unlimited consoles and you pay big bucks for the Sniffer Server. With Observer, you pay for a full license per console. Our total cost for each solution was very close.

I've used both. Observer does do a lot of what Sniffer does. But Sniffer still has THE BEST Expert. And when there is a network problem and "all sweat pumps are on-line," I'd rather have Sniffer Expert any day helping me sift out the extraneous symptoms from the real areas of concern. I get things fixed a lot quicker that way.

Patrick

Patrick Bartkus, CCNP, CNX, SCM Sr. Network Engineer
GA Dept of Labor IT Network Services
If truth were not absolute, how could there be justice?