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Sniffing at the Coax

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I am wondering if it is even possible to sniff traffic at the coax level before it even reaches the ethernet router? If so, would special hardware be required?

Thanks much for any help, I have tried searching all over without luck to this question!

asked 07 Jan '12, 15:33

kualla's gravatar image

kualla
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One Answer:

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If "sniff traffic at the coax level" means "sniff cable modem traffic at the point where it reaches the cable modem by connecting something to the cable", the answer to the first question is "yes" and the answer to the second question is also "yes".

Whether any such equipment is available is another matter; there was a device announced back in 2002 that cost USD 42000 - it was rack-mounted and presumably intended for use at the head end - but I don't think they sell it any more. Some limited capabilities are available with a module for the packet-o-matic software ("limited" as in, for example, "it can only capture downstream traffic").

answered 08 Jan '12, 12:37

Guy%20Harris's gravatar image

Guy Harris ♦♦
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