Cace Technologies Explore the Advanced Features of AirPcap Wireless Capture Adapters

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The AirPcap Product Family

The AirPcap offerings are the first open, affordable and easy-to-deploy packet capture solution for Windows. All of the AirPcap offerings will capture full 802.11 data, management, and control frames that can be viewed in Wireshark thereby providing in-depth protocol dissection and analysis capabilities. Below we provide a feature matrix that gives a high- level overview of the feature sets of the adapters in the AirPcap Product Family.

More detailed information regarding each the member of the AirPcap

Product Family can be found on the CACE Technologies Website

http://www.cacetech.com/.

 

AirPcap

AirPcap Tx

AirPcap Ex

AirPcap N

 

Classic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Captures Full 802.11 Frames

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

 

 

 

 

 

Fully Integrated with Wireshark

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

 

 

 

 

 

Open API

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

 

 

 

 

 

Multi-Channel Monitoring

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

(with 2 or more adapters)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Packet Transmission

No

Yes

Yes

No

 

 

 

 

 

External Antenna Connector

No

No

Yes

No

 

 

 

 

 

Form Factors

USB Dongle

USB Dongle

USB Dongle

1

 

 

 

 

Cardbus (32 bits)

 

 

 

 

 

Frequency Bands

2.4GHz (b/g)

2.4GHz (b/g)

2.4 and 5GHz

2.4 and 5GHz

 

 

 

(a/b/g)

(a/b/g/n)

 

 

 

 

 

Table 1. Feature Comparison for the AirPcap Product Family

1Other form factors available by special order are: mini-PCI and mini-PCI Express

3

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Contents Family of Wireless Capture Adapters User’s Guide Copyrights Contents and Figures Figures AirPcap AirPcap Tx AirPcap Ex AirPcap N AirPcap Product FamilyStandards Brief Introduction toTerminology Channels Types of Frames Http//standards.ieee.org/getieee802/802.11.html How AirPcap Adapters OperateMultiple Channel Capture applies to USB adapters only Identifying the AirPcap Adapters Configuring the Adapters the AirPcap Control PanelAirPcap N and Extension ChannelSetting SettingsWEP Keys List improves performance Multi-Channel Aggregator Wireless Toolbar AirPcap and WiresharkIdentifying the AirPcap Adapters in Wireshark Wireless toolbar has the following controls Wireless Settings Dialog Parameters that can be configured are Decryption Keys Management Dialog Decryption Keys Management Dialog in WiresharkAirPcap User’s Guide Transmit Raw 802.11 Frames on Your Network Where to Learn More 4GHz Band Appendix a 802.11 Frequencies5GHz Band Channels Supported by the AirPcap Product FamilyAirPcap N

AirPcap Wireless Capture Adapters specifications

Cace Technologies AirPcap Wireless Capture Adapters are essential tools for network professionals aiming to monitor, analyze, and troubleshoot wireless networks. These innovative devices enable packet capture and analysis over 802.11 wireless networks, providing insights that are crucial for maintaining network integrity and performance.

One of the main features of AirPcap adapters is their ability to capture raw 802.11 packets in real time, including management, control, and data frames. This capability allows for a comprehensive view of wireless communications, assisting engineers in identifying issues like signal interference, unauthorized access points, and potential security breaches.

Another significant characteristic is the support for both 802.11a/b/g/n standards. This wide-ranging compatibility ensures that users can effectively analyze traffic across various network types, regardless of the generation of equipment being utilized. Additionally, AirPcap adapters are equipped with advanced features like packet injection, which is beneficial for testing network robustness and security defenses.

The wireless capture adapters are often praised for their seamless integration with popular analysis tools such as Wireshark. This combination provides users with a powerful interface for performing in-depth packet analysis, enabling the decoding of complex protocols and offering visualizations that aid in understanding network behaviors.

For ease of use, AirPcap adapters come equipped with a compact design and user-friendly software. They can be connected to laptops or portable devices, making them ideal for field use. Their portability ensures that field technicians or network analysts can perform assessments in various environments without the need for extensive setup or configurations.

Security is another critical aspect where AirPcap shines. These adapters allow for the capture of encrypted packets, provided the user has the appropriate decryption keys. This feature is particularly valuable for troubleshooting security protocols and ensuring that data transmitted over the network is secure.

In conclusion, Cace Technologies AirPcap Wireless Capture Adapters are versatile and powerful tools for any network engineer or security professional. With their ability to capture and analyze a wide range of wireless traffic, their compatibility with industry-standard tools, and their advanced features, AirPcap adapters are indispensable in today's increasingly wireless world. Whether used for routine monitoring, troubleshooting, or security assessments, these adapters offer a robust solution for wireless network management.