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Sniffer on OSX - revisited

It looks like the last discussion of Sniffer on Devzone was 2-3 yrs ago.

I’ve ordered the nRF Dongle and will download the Windows-based nRF Sniffer app.

i can run this with WireShark on a Windows VM on my Mac, though I would like a Mac OSX option.

- Any news on that front?

- Any way the Bluetooth hardware built into the MacBook could serve a Mac Sniffer app?

thanks!

  • Agreed, @motion.

    I tried the Windows installer route on a VMWare Windows 7 VM, as well.

    All steps worked without error, but in the end, neither the Dongle nor the nRK52 DK show up in the Windows WireShark Capture list.

    On Win 7: WireShark Version 2.4.5 (v2.4.5-0-g153e867ef1) (I tried V2.5.x as well)
    JLink 6.16c

    None of the WireShark versions I've seen have a View\Interface Toolbars option

    WireShark VIew Menu

    I'm excited about the possibilities...

    I need the magic incantation...

  • I followed the instructions on macOS (ignoring that it mentions "for Windows"), and it works for me (using macOS v10.13.3 on a MacBook Pro).

    The only thing I needed to do to get Wireshark to find the interface is copy the contents of the sniffer's extcap folder to the one under Wireshark:

    Another thing I did differently is copy the firmware hex file into the JLink mounted drive rather than using the jlink tools. It's a much easier process. If you don't get the firmware flashed correctly to the board/USB dongle, it will probably cause it to not show up in the Interfaces list.

    The toolbar only shows up when Wireshark recognizes the interface and you choose that upon startup of Wireshark. 

    The one difference is I'm using the nRF51 dongle (PCA10031), but I'll try with an nRF52832 board and see if that works or not.

  • I spent some time with on the phone and sharing screens to see if we could get my nRF Sniffer going.  As noted in this thread, he's been successful in getting the Sniffer going, although his environment is, in some cases, using older (and some newer) versions of components than are specified in the Sniffer Guide.

    Mohammand and I used every tool we knew, and it appears that:

    • the Dongle is working hardware wise, and also can be programmed by nRF Connect
    • WireShark is working
    • Python is working
    • Pyserial is installed (I don't know how to tell it's working except through a WireShark connection)
    • also working are Segger SES and nrf Connect on the Mac

    So, I'd still welcome some guidance, and offer a screen-share session at the Norwegian time of your choosing.  Anytime... really!

    Mange Tak!

    Dave (was "Gunnar" in my college Norwegian classes)

  • I've tried doing the same as Mohammad Afaneh, but I still can't see the nRF sniffer interface in Wireshark. I'm on Sierra (10.12.6), running Wireshark v2.4.5 (installed with Homebrew). Happy to work with Nordic to get this resolved for other Mac users. 

  • Hello David,

    Sorry for the delay. Looking into your issue now.

    First thing first. You say:

    Installed pyserial 2.7

    Please double check that you have the versions mentioned in the documentation.

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