SharkLauncher: Launcher for Powerful X11 Network Monitoring Program
Looking for a Mac-native alternative to WireShark/Ethereal? Try PacketStream!
SharkLauncher is a free, open-source application launcher, written in Python,
for the Unix-based WireShark (formerly
Ethereal) network monitoring program on Mac OS X. WireShark is a sophisticated
GUI for the tcpdump command-line utility, and runs under Fink
or MacPorts in Apple's X11
environment. While the program can be launched from within the X11 application,
it requires administrator authorization (a user password), and the SharkLauncher
tool provides a convenient way to start the program.
To begin WireShark, just click on the SharkLauncher icon in the Dock. This launches the X11 environment. SharkLauncher then prompts you for an administrator password, since WireShark itself must be run under these conditions.
WireShark has a great number of configuration options. It allows you to view the stream of network traffic in real time, or you can save the network data to a file for later analysis.
Documenting all of the ways that Ethereal can be used is beyond the scope of this web page, but Ethereal has extensive online help that contains a wealth of information on how to configure the application.
SharkLauncher is released under the GNU General Public License. The source code is included with the package.
Version 1.3 (September 16, 2006): Updated to reflect change of Ethereal name to WireShark.
Version 1.2 (April 26, 2006): Updated to "universal binary" format to support both PPC and Intel Macs.
Version 1.1 (May 20, 2005): Rewritten in Python to provide easier access to running Ethereal under "sudo." Now looks for both Fink and DarwinPorts installations of Ethereal.
Version 0.10.3 (June 2004): Initial release.
Requirements: Mac OS X 10.4, X11.app, Fink or DarwinPorts installation of Ethereal
Download SharkLauncher