what is promiscuous mode? course hero

In computer networking, promiscuous mode is a mode of operation, as well as a security, monitoring and administration technique. In promiscuous mode, a network device, such as an adapter on a host system, can intercept and read in its entirety each network packet that arrives.

Full Answer

What is promiscuous mode?

In computer networking, promiscuous mode is a mode of operation, as well as a security, monitoring and administration technique. In promiscuous mode, a network device, such as an adapter on a host system, can intercept and read in its entirety each network packet that arrives.

What are the drawbacks of promiscuous mode?

Promiscuous mode is often used to monitor network activity and to diagnose connectivity issues. It is sometimes given to a network snoop server that captures and saves all packets for analysis, for example, to monitor network usage.

How to disable promiscuous mode in XenServer?

To disable promiscuous mode, run this command on the XenServer text console: # ifconfig eth0 –promisc.

How to enable promiscuous mode on a physical NIC?

To enable promiscuous mode on a physical NIC, run this command -- as laid out by Citrix support documents for its XenServer virtualization platform -- in the text console: # ifconfig eth0 promisc.

When a data packet is transmitted in non promiscuous mode, all the LAN devices listen to the data to?

So, when a data packet is transmitted in non-promiscuous mode, all the LAN devices listen to the data to determine if their network address is included in the packet. If it's not, the packet is passed onto the next LAN device until the correct network address is reached. That device then reads the data.

Does a NIC need to be promiscuous?

In a bridge network, the NIC may be required to operate in promiscuous mode. In that case, the mode must be supported by each network adapter, as well as by the input/output driver in the host OS. Some OSes require superuser privileges to enable this mode.

Is promiscuous mode unsafe?

However, due to its ability to access all network traffic on a segment, this mode is considered unsafe. For example, in a system with multiple virtual machines, promiscuous mode makes it possible for every host to see all network packets destined for all other VMs on that system, not just packets destined for their VMs.

What is promiscuous mode?

In computer networking, promiscuous mode is a mode for a wired network interface controller (NIC) or wireless network interface controller (WNIC) that causes the controller to pass all traffic it receives to the central processing unit (CPU) rather than passing only the frames that the controller is specifically programmed to receive.

Why do routers use promiscuous mode?

A router may monitor all traffic that it routes. Promiscuous mode is often used to diagnose network connectivity issues.

What happens if an IP address is in promiscuous mode?

If the adapter is in promiscuous mode, the frame will be passed on, and the IP stack on the machine (to which a MAC address has no meaning) will respond as it would to any other ping.

What Does Promiscuous Mode Mean?

Promiscuous mode is a type of computer networking operational mode in which all network data packets can be accessed and viewed by all network adapters operating in this mode. It is a network security, monitoring and administration technique that enables access to entire network data packets by any configured network adapter on a host system.

Is promiscuous mode unsafe?

Because of its ability to access all network traffic on a segment, promiscuous mode is also considered unsafe. Like a system with multiple VMs, each host has the ability to see network packets destined for other VMs on that system.

Why is promiscuous mode bad?

When a network interface is placed into promiscuous mode, all packets are sent to the kernel for processing, including packets not destined for the MAC address of the network interface card. The one main reason that this is a bad thing is because users on the system with a promiscuous mode network interface can now use a tool like a sniffer ...

Which rule will detect the host and the host’s network interface which went to promiscuous mode?

Here the SEC rule will detect the host and the host’s network interface which went to promiscuous mode.

How to know if network interface is promiscuous?

This can be obtained by using the ifconfig command on UNIX-based systems .

Why is network security promiscuous?

After gaining control of a system , an attacker sometimes places a network interface into promiscuous mode in order to sniff the network for other sensitive information. Although network security monitoring can detect a promiscuous interface, it is also something that a host integrity monitoring system can easily detect. Most UNIX systems reveal promiscuous status in the interface viewed with the ifconfig command. For example, on FreeBSD:

Does Windows 2000 monitor promiscuous mode?

The Windows 2000 Network Monitor does not capture packets in promiscuous mode. To do that you need to use the version of Network Monitor included with Systems Management Server version 2.0.

Overview

In computer networking, promiscuous mode is a mode for a wired network interface controller (NIC) or wireless network interface controller (WNIC) that causes the controller to pass all traffic it receives to the central processing unit (CPU) rather than passing only the frames that the controller is specifically programmed to receive. This mode is normally used for packet sniffing that takes place on a router or on a computer connected to a wired network or one being part of a wireless …

Detection

Some applications that use promiscuous mode

See also

External links