WinPcap

Business Profile

Core Value Proposition

WinPcap provides a Windows packet capture library and driver that enables applications to capture and transmit network packets at the low level, with kernel-level filtering, a network statistics engine, and a Windows version of the libpcap API.

Target Customer

Developers building network analysis and packet-capture tools for Windows; IT professionals needing low-level access to Windows network traffic; open-source and commercial network tool vendors (e.g., those integrating with Wireshark, Nmap, Snort, ntop).

Key Differentiator

An industry-standard Windows packet capture library consisting of both a driver and a library, with the Windows version of the libpcap API, historically used as the capture engine behind major tools like Wireshark, Nmap, Snort, and ntop.

Implementation Timeline

Last released as version 4.1.3 in 2018; development has ceased, with no roadmap for future updates. Riverbed staff oversight and bug-reporting are no longer available; Npcap is recommended as a replacement.

Pain Points

1Provides low-level Windows access to network packets, bypassing the protocol stack.
2Offers a Windows-compatible API (libpcap) to enable cross-tool development and integration.
3Establishes a widely adopted capture engine used by multiple open-source and commercial network tools.

Key Features

1Driver + library enabling low-level Windows network access
2Kernel-level packet filtering
3Network statistics engine
4Support for remote packet capture
5Windows version of the libpcap Unix API

Target Customer Industries

1Technology

Client Results

1Used as the packet capture engine by major tools and projects such as Wireshark, Nmap, Snort, and ntop.

Competitive Advantages

1Widely adopted and trusted as the standard Windows packet capture solution
2Driver + library architecture enables low-level access and control
3Libpcap API compatibility on Windows facilitates cross-platform tooling
4Established ecosystem with WinDump and integration with tools like Wireshark
5Clear maintenance status with option to migrate to Npcap

Key Benefits

1Low-level Windows packet capture capability

2Kernel-level filtering and statistics

3Remote capture support

4Windows libpcap API compatibility

5Integration Foundation for tools like Wireshark, Nmap, Snort, ntop

Additional Product Information

Product Description

WinPcap is the industry-standard Windows packet capture library that enables applications to capture and transmit network packets, with kernel-level filtering, a network statistics engine, and a Windows version of the libpcap API. It comprises a driver and a library used by many open-source and commercial network tools, including Wireshark, Nmap, Snort, and ntop.

Target Market

Developers of Windows-based network capture tools; IT/network teams needing low-level packet access; organizations leveraging or building network analysis software.

Unique Value Proposition

A mature, widely-used Windows packet capture library with a native driver+library stack and libpcap compatibility, forming the backbone of many network analysis tools.

Technical Requirements

{"Last official release: 4.1.3","Installer for Windows uses NDIS 5.0; may not work well with newer Windows versions","Historically supported platforms included Windows NT4/2000, Windows XP/2003, Windows Vista/2008, Windows 7/2008R2, Windows 8 (x86 and x64) as of older updates","Windows CE version available (experimental; only source code provided; may not be aligned with latest WinPcap)","MD5/SHA1 checksums provided for release artifacts"}

Pricing Model

Not specified in the content

Companies Solving Similar Problems

Based on matching: problems solved, key features, industries

Y Combinator

Y Combinator helps startups make something people want by providing early-stage funding, mentorship, and a strong network.

Technology

E-commerce

BuiltWith Web Technology Usage Trends

BuiltWith provides detailed web technology usage statistics and insights for businesses and developers.

Technology

E-commerce

SentientJobs

SentientJobs provides a comprehensive job board for AI, human, and hybrid positions, helping individuals find career opportunities in the evolving workforce landscape.

Technology

Public Relations

JBITSS Technology Solutions

Providing comprehensive technology solutions tailored to business needs.

Technology

Finance

goQR.me QR Code Generator

goQR.me QR Code Generator provides free QR code creation for commercial and print usage, including logo-enabled codes and vector exports (EPS/SVG) for high-quality print.