Wireshark with HTML Console in PNET-Lab

Introduction

Ever tried doing a packet capture using the HTML console in your PNET-Lab environment? If you don't want Wireshark installed on your laptop and you'd rather work entirely through the browser-based HTML console, PNET-Lab offers a Docker Wireshark device built exactly for this purpose.

Instead of capturing traffic locally and transferring files back and forth, you can run Wireshark as a device inside your lab topology and capture directly from the interface you need, all from the same console you're already using to manage your lab.

Using Docker Wireshark from PNET-Lab

To capture packets through the HTML console, you need to use the Docker Wireshark image from the PNET-Lab repositories. This is added as a device, just like any other node in your lab, so it can be wired directly into the topology you want to monitor.

Step 1 – Download Wireshark from Devices

Navigate to Devices and install Wireshark from the available device list.

Step 2 – Fix Permissions

Once the Wireshark device has downloaded, go to System > Settings and fix the permissions so the device can run correctly in your lab.

Capturing Packets in Your Lab

With Wireshark installed and permissions fixed, open your lab and go to the target node. Click Capture and select the specific interface you want to monitor, the capture will then run directly inside the HTML console.

Conclusion

The Docker Wireshark device makes packet capturing in PNET-Lab simple, you get full Wireshark functionality through the HTML console without ever installing it locally. It's a convenient way to troubleshoot and analyze traffic directly inside your lab environment.