PCAP_CREATE(3)

PCAP_CREATE(3) | Library Functions Manual | PCAP_CREATE(3)

# NAME

pcap_create - create a live capture handle

# SYNOPSIS

    #include <pcap/pcap.h>

    char errbuf[PCAP_ERRBUF_SIZE];

    pcap_t *pcap_create(const char *source, char *errbuf);

# DESCRIPTION

pcap_create() is used to create a packet capture handle to look at packets on the network. source is a string that specifies the network device to open; on Linux systems with 2.2 or later kernels, a source argument of "any" or NULL can be used to capture packets from all interfaces.

The returned handle must be activated with pcap_activate() before packets can be captured with it; options for the capture, such as promiscuous mode, can be set on the handle before activating it.

# RETURN VALUE

pcap_create() returns a pcap_t * on success and NULL on failure. If NULL is returned, errbuf is filled in with an appropriate error message. errbuf is assumed to be able to hold at least PCAP_ERRBUF_SIZE chars.

# SEE ALSO

pcap(3), pcap_activate(3)

3 January 2014 |