Freeware or Open Source project that monitors all internet traffic data [ed: a packet sniffer]?

[joshg]

I'm looking for something that tells me everything! 😉

I'm talking about some program that generates some kind of log of any traffic incoming or outgoing, what port, what IP address it was coming from/going to, what exact data stream was sent or received, etc.

I know that this log file, normally, would be HUGE. However, I'm only going to use it for application development... I.E. I turn the logging on, run a few things, turn the logging off, and go see exactly what was sent and received from my PC, modify my code accordingly, etc. etc... does anyone know of any free type of program or little applet, script, etc. that I can use or maybe modify to do this?

Thanks to all in advance! 🙂


[ed: Upon further research I believe that this type of program is called a packet sniffer. Does anyone know of one that is simple and can provide me with what I'm looking for, and can be obtained freely, if this is indeed the case?]

 

[Soybomb]

http://www.ethereal.com is a nice free sniffer. http://www.eeye.com offers a 30 day trial on their sniffer and its rather nice but expensive if you want to buy. Play around and see if it will do what you want. Be sure your network architecture will support what you're wanting to do also. If you can't see the traffic the best sniffer in the world wont help.

 

[joshg]

Thanks for your response and tips!

Oddly enough, I was just reading up on Ethereal before reading your post. 😀 It looks a lot like what I'm looking for, so I will try it out sometime (probably this weekend) and see if it does what I need. 🙂 Thanks again!

(I may be back! 😉 😛 )