What is the purpose of a packet sniffer in network analysis?

The purpose of a packet sniffer in network analysis is to capture and analyze data packets traversing a network. Packet sniffers work by monitoring network interfaces and intercepting data packets as they travel across the network. This allows network professionals to inspect the contents of each packet, including headers and payloads, to gain detailed insights into network traffic, protocols in use, and potential issues like bottlenecks or unauthorized access attempts.

By analyzing the captured data, technicians can diagnose performance problems, troubleshoot connectivity issues, or detect security incidents. The ability to capture real-time data is vital for understanding network behavior and making informed decisions about network management.

Other options, while relevant to networking, do not specifically describe the primary function of a packet sniffer. Enhancing network security might be an indirect benefit of packet analysis, but it is not the primary purpose. Optimizing network bandwidth involves strategies to improve performance, which is not directly a role of a packet sniffer. Configuring network settings pertains to the setup and management of hardware and software components, quite different from the data capture and analysis function of a packet sniffer.