Using Wireshark to Troubleshoot Network Connectivity Issues: Conversation Filter
In addition to the “Follow TCP Stream,” “Decode As,” “IO Graphs,” “Expert Infos,” and “Time Sequence Graph (tcptrace)” features, Wireshark also includes a tool called the “Conversation Filter” that allows you to view the packets being exchanged between two specific devices or between devices using a specific protocol.
To use the “Conversation Filter” feature, simply select the “Statistics” menu and then choose “Conversations.” This will open a new window that displays a list of all the conversations that have been captured.
You can use the “Conversation Filter” feature to view the packets being exchanged between two specific devices or between devices using a specific protocol. To filter the conversations, you can use a variety of criteria, including the source and destination addresses, the protocol being used, and various other packet attributes.
The “Conversation Filter” feature is especially useful when you want to focus on a specific set of packets and see how they are being exchanged between devices. By using the “Conversation Filter” feature in combination with other diagnostic tools, such as the “Follow TCP Stream” and “IO Graphs” features, you can gain a deeper understanding of the traffic on your network and identify potential problems.
How to Use the Conversation Filter
To use the “Conversation Filter” feature in Wireshark, follow these steps:
Select the “Statistics” menu and then choose “Conversations.”
In the “Filter” field at the top of the window, enter the criteria that you want to use to filter the conversations.
Click the “Apply” button to apply the filter and display the filtered conversations.
For example, if you want to see the packets being exchanged between two specific devices, you can enter the IP addresses of the devices in the “Filter” field. If you want to see the packets being exchanged between devices using a specific protocol, you can enter the name of the protocol in the “Filter” field.
With a little bit of practice and a thorough understanding of the features and techniques available in Wireshark, you can become an expert at troubleshooting network issues and keeping your network running smoothly