Think of your network data packets as little tennis balls, batted from their port of origin to their destination.

But how does PCAP analysis work, once a PCAP file is created? In other words, PCAP is the standard file used to capture network traffic for network performance analysis.Ĭreating and analyzing a PCAP file is a basic component of your network analysis software. Even though PCAP has unique formats based on its operating system, the purpose and function of PCAP analysis remain the same across platforms. PCAP is the intermediary API used to obtain and record packet data, which can then be reported to a more user-friendly PCAP analysis tool. If you’re looking to perform network packet analysis, chances are the software you’re using creates PCAP files. PCAP files are especially helpful because they can record multilayer traffic data, capturing packets originating from the data link layer all the way to the application layer.

PCAP (short for Packet Capture) is the name of the API commonly used to record packet metrics.

The Importance of Network Packet AnalysisĬhoosing the Right PCAP Analysis Software + My Recommendation What Is PCAP Analysis?.

If you’re interested in adding this capability to your toolbox, it’s best to use automated software like SolarWinds ® Network Performance Monitor (NPM), an affordable and easy-to-use network monitoring tool built to offer you the many insights possible with in-depth packet capture. This article is a quick refresher on packet capture files and how network administrators use them. Whether you’re new to network management or brushing up on some of your concepts, you’ve come to the right place. Because packet analysis (also known as packet capture or packet sniffing) is crucial to network management, network admins should understand the key concepts of packet capture analysis.

Packet capture (PCAP) analysis is the process of obtaining and analyzing individual data packets that travel through your network. Network performance monitoring is crucial to the health and security of your IT system-and packet analytics are at the core of today’s network traffic monitoring.

Sample pcap files for analysis