COM Port not detected by sniffer software

[Malcolm]

I am using sniffer v3.1.

I have installed the sniffer code on a nRF52840 dongle (PCA100059). When I insert this into the PC it appears as "nRF Sniffer for Bluetooth LE (COM10)" in device manager. However it is not detected by "nrf_sniffer_ble.bat --extcap-interfaces" although I see all the other lines of output, and likewise it is not detected in Wireshark.

This has been working but I cannot understand why it has now stopped.

[Malcolm]

I am assuming this is a Python issue and not nRF. I do not know which lines of Python finds the list of COM ports and then selects the one with the label "nRF Sniffer for Bluetooth LE (COM10)"

[adamalfath]

Here's what I've got so far from playing around with example file. I'm putting print function just to see which port and baud does program tried, it connecting to the right port. But from given known baud 1M and 460.8k there's no successful connection.

I'm also trying to change the write_data parameter to true on find_sniffer function and it showing something. The nPacket is changing when I start to broadcast BLE data from other device and the red LED start to blinking.

Regardless, I have no idea to connecting the dot from what I've found . Python is not my strongest language and it's my first time to use nRF devices.

[Karl Ylvisaker]

Hi adamalfath,

I am sorry to hear that you too are having issues with this.
Could you also confirm for me that you have followed the installation steps I detailed in my previous comment, particularly the one which shows how to set the extcap path?

Best regards,
Karl

[adamalfath]

Hi Karl,

Thanks for the respond. Yes I can confirm that I follow every step of the documentation.

Right now I have working sniffer extension on wireshark, the extcap-interfaces command and wireshark shows the sniffer interface. What I did is change the parameter write_data=True on UART.find_sniffer function in the python script.

The script comment says it's to toggle for intrusive search. I don't really know what that's mean but I haven't found any issue yet.

[Karl Ylvisaker]

Hello again adamalfath,

adamalfath said:

Thanks for the respond.

No problem at all, I am happy to help!

adamalfath said:

Right now I have working sniffer extension on wireshark, the extcap-interfaces command and wireshark shows the sniffer interface.

I am glad to hear that you were able to identify your issue, and that now have the sniffer working as expected! 

adamalfath said:

What I did is change the parameter write_data=True on UART.find_sniffer function in the python script.

You can see what this does in the UART.py file, but in essence it pings every port it tries while searching for the sniffer. I am not sure exactly how this resolves the issue for you, because the sniffer should be found regardless of this option, but I am glad to hear that you have it working now, at least.

Please do not hesitate to open a new ticket if you should encounter any issues or questions in the future.

Best regards,
Karl