How should I capture my own wlan traffic?

daniel_cello · n00b Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 26

Hello friends,

I have a 3com office connect access point and a laptop with an intel ipw2200 mini-pci card that disconnect whenever I put the connection under heavy load. This happens both under linux and under "the other os", typically when I copy a big file over the wlan. To be able to diagnose the problem I would like to capture wlan traffic, just like I am able to capture the traffic with ethereal on the wired lan in promiscuous mode, but I have had no success so far. I am able to capture traffic on other wlans using kismet and monitor mode, but then I am unable to analyze my own traffic, since the wlan card doesn't transmit anymore...

I have one possible solution, and that is to use an extra wlan card in the pcmcia slot, but I am currently unable to get pcmcia running. So if anyone would like to help out you may either suggest a way to put the ipw2200 nic in promiscuous mode or a way to diagnose the pcmcia subsystem. To see a description of my pcmcia problems have a look at https://forums.gentoo.org/viewtopic-t-456225-highlight-.html!

I have looked around quite a lot, but now I have run out of ideas. I might buy new wlan hardware, but first I want to know that it will help.

Thanks for your input, it is deeply appreciated!

/Daniel

zwik · Posted: Mon May 01, 2006 9:42 pm Post subject:

Maybe something like Ethereal or tcpdump is the right tool for you. Take a look at those

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daniel_cello · n00b Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 26

Thanks for the suggestion, Zwik, but the problem is not the tools for capturing. I am already using ethereal occasionally to analyse my wired lan. I think many would suggest kismet for capturing wlan traffic.

The problem however is to generate traffic and capture the traffic at the same time. I am not able to set the ipw2200 driver into promiscuous mode. (Capturing while handling the normal traffic)