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Networking Fundamentals · Foundational

Protocol Analyzer

A tool that captures and decodes network traffic so it can be examined protocol by protocol.

Definition

Analyzers display headers and payloads, follow streams and identify errors such as retransmissions. Capturing on a switched network requires a SPAN port, tap or capture on the host.

Example

A protocol analyzer shows TCP retransmissions between a client and server.

Exam tip

Packet sniffer and protocol analyzer are used interchangeably on exams.

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