How to follow multiple connections with multiple nrf Sniffers?

[MTB]

Hi,

I am connecting a central to multiple peripherals. In order to optimize the throughput I would like to simultanuously sniff the connection. In the nrf Sniffer documentation there is a chapter "Capturing from multiple hardware interfaces", which shows the basic principle on starting a measurement with multiple sniffers.

However,in the documentation only the start of sniffing for advertisment data is show. I would actually like to use four nrf52840 Dongle each flashed with the nrf Sniffer FW to follow four individual connections at the same time.

I can start the sniffing with all interfaces enabled. However, if I set tone of the interfaces to only look at a specific peripheral, all other interfaces will also only follow the selected one. I can not select individually for the single sniffer dongles.

Is there a way to simultanuously follow multiple connection?

[Amanda Hsieh]

Hi, 

You can capture packets from several hardware interfaces/devices simultaneously. On Windows, this feature is available in Wireshark v3.0.7 and v3.2.0 and later. See Capturing from multiple hardware interfaces. 

Regards,
Amanda H.

[MTB]

Hi Amanda,

thanks for you answer.

I know the Article you mention from the documentation I was actually referencing.

However, the documentation only shows a picture where one interface (COM17-3.4) is listening to all advertising packages. This is working for me as well.

My goal is to follow different connection to certain interfaces after connection at the same time, so for example:

I have 1 central, 2 peripherals and 2 nRF sniffers. I would like to follow the connections of both peripherals when/after connecting to the one central.

Looking at the sniffer control pane, I would to the following:

1. Start the capupturing on both interfaces (this works and I see packets from both sniffers)
2. Choose the first peripheral in the device list of the first interface (this works as well)
3. Select the second Hardware interface in the hardware interface drop down
4. select the second peripheral in the device list

However, if I change the device on the second interface, it also changes the selected device on the first interface. In the end I can, either:

• Sniff all advertising device with two sniffers at the same time
• Sniff one connection to betwen the central and one peripheral with two sniffers at the same time

I can not sniff two different connections (one for each connection to the central) at the same time.

How can I achieve this?