This is a static archive of our old Q&A Site. Please post any new questions and answers at ask.wireshark.org.

What hardware interface do I need for point-to-point Ethernet communication?

0

This is probably a stupid question, but I am still learning the basics of WireShark.

I am trying to set up a platform to test various industrial Ethernet devices. I would like to use a point-to-point connection from my PC to the device in question. Can I simply use my PC's onboard Ethernet port? Or do I need to use some other type of hardware?

Thanks

asked 29 Nov '16, 10:12

cjswish's gravatar image

cjswish
6113
accept rate: 0%

edited 29 Nov '16, 14:45

Guy%20Harris's gravatar image

Guy Harris ♦♦
17.4k335196


One Answer:

1

This question can be deemed a Wireshark one only if you try really hard, but anyway - yes, an Ethernet port of your PC can be used to directly connect an Ethernet port of some other equipment using a cable alone (i.e. no need to use a switch or hub between the two), and you can use Wireshark running on your PC to capture that communication. Depending on the capabilities of the two ports, you may need to use a so-called "crossed cable", but for equipment not older than 15 years this should not be an issue, so it is worth trying with a standard patch cable first.

answered 29 Nov '16, 14:06

sindy's gravatar image

sindy
6.0k4851
accept rate: 24%

@cjswish, the house rules of this site assume that if you find an Answer to your Question useful, you click the checkmark icon, rather than the thumbs up icon, to mark it as such. Doing so highlights the Question in green in the list, informing others coming to ask the same Question that this one has been usefully answered. The checkmark icon is only available to the author of the Question who is the only one to judge whether the answer was helpful or not. The thumbs up are for everyone and their original purpose is to prefer better Answers where more than one Answer is available.

(29 Nov '16, 14:31) sindy