Wireshark Promiscuous Mode Wired: Understanding the Concept

When it comes to capturing packets on a wired Ethernet network, Wireshark's promiscuous mode is often misunderstood by users. In this article, we'll delve into the concept of promiscuous mode and how it works on a wired network.

To begin with, let's understand that Wi-Fi networks operate on a shared medium, unlike switched Ethernet networks. This means you can capture all packets on a Wi-Fi network without any issues. However, most Wi-Fi networks are protected using encryption techniques like WEP or WPA/WPA2. In such cases, you'll need a tool like Wireshark that can decrypt the traffic, along with the password for the network and the initial connecting-to-the-network handshake for each device whose traffic you want to decrypt.

Now, let's focus on promiscuous mode specifically. This is a mode in which your network adapter works, handing packets to the host regardless of the destination MAC address. However, if the switch won't send you packets that aren't broadcast or multicast or addressed to you, there's nothing your adapter can do about it.

In the past, promiscuous mode worked well on Ethernet networks. However, modern Ethernet networks often don't work in the same way as they originally did. As a result, promiscuous mode may not work as effectively as it used to.

When you enable promiscuous mode on your wired network adapter, you won't be disconnected from the network in the classical sense. You will still be connected to the router and can capture packets that are addressed to you or broadcast/multicast traffic. However, if you're looking to capture all packets on the network, including those not addressed to you, promiscuous mode might not work as expected.

It's worth noting that monitor mode is a Wi-Fi feature that doesn't exist on wired adapters. Whether or not you'll be disconnected from the network when in monitor mode depends on your network adapter, operating system, and driver.

In conclusion, promiscuous mode is an important concept in capturing packets on a wired Ethernet network using tools like Wireshark. While it may not work as effectively as it once did due to changes in modern Ethernet networks, it can still be useful for capturing specific types of traffic. By understanding how promiscuous mode works and its limitations, you'll be better equipped to troubleshoot and analyze your network's behavior.

Wireshark promiscuous mode wired