Protocol analyzer
A protocol analyzer is a hardware device or software used to verify that a protocol on a digital network is operating correctly, or to extract data about the protocol, possibly including statistics or data.
Example uses
- A protocol analyzer for a token ring network could detect that the token has been lost or the presence of too many tokens (verifying the protocol).
- A protocol analyzer could detect that messages are being sent to a NIC, if the NIC did not report receiving the messages then this would localize the failure to the NIC.
- A protocol analyzer could detect excessive messages being sent by a port, detecting an error in the implementation.
- A protocol analyzer could collect statistics on the amount of traffic (number of messages) from a process detecting the need for more bandwidth or a better method.
- A protocol analyzer could be used to extract messages and reassemble into a compete form the traffic from a process, allowing it to be reverse engineered.
External links
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