WildPackets OmniPeek scores a perfect 5.0

WildPackets' OmniPeek Enterprise delivers Wi-Fi packet capture and analysis features as part of its full-featured network assurance package. It's important to mention here that OmniPeek is not specific to wireless - it's a full-function network analysis tool for wired segments as well. We must also note that there are less-expensive versions than the Enterprise one we tested so we're only making claims about this one.

Installation was easy - just enter the serial number provided with the software license, select your adapter, and you're off. Our internal WLAN adapter was not supported by OmniPeek (a list of supported adapters and their necessary drivers can be found here), so we used a Linksys WUSB600N dual-band .11n adapter with the required custom driver provided by WildPackets. We did not use the OmniEngine component, a Windows service that is designed for larger, distributed (including multi-site) monitoring and capture applications

Setting up a capture with OmniPeek allows the user to specify detailed parameters, including channel, triggers (conditions upon which the product is to start capturing), and filtering by frame type and/or protocol. The interface is easy to use, although one needs to navigate between multiple windows to see everything.

OmniPeek's flexibility is first-rate. Names can be resolved via DNS, notes can be added to selected packets, individual parameters associated with a particular packet (such as source addresses and ports) can be selected or hidden, and data can be decrypted if you have the key (of course). Captures can be saved in a variety of file formats, including those supported by the open source Wireshark network protocol analyzer. The product also enables a high degree of customization, including the ability to extend analysis with custom code (for specialized protocols). Complete filtering is also provided, allowing a user to focus only on particular packets or protocols.

Overall, this product was by far the easiest to use. We had to turn to the manual only to rate the documentation's quality, which was also excellent.

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