The PcapNG file format overcomes limitations of the original libpcap file format. It is designed to store packets with different link layer types. The pcapng specification is work in progress. It atte...
The PcapNG file format overcomes limitations of the original libpcap file format. It is designed to store packets with different link layer types. The pcapng specification is work in progress. It attempts to overcome libpcap format’s limitations. Some Linux extensions to pcapng exist.
Example pcapng files are included below. The recommended extension is “.pcapng”. Files are distinguished by extensions on Windows and macOS. Applications should detect the format through “magic bytes”.
A PCAPNG file contains captured network data packets. It uses the Next Generation format. The stored packets are used by analyzers like Wireshark. The format saves data packets in a structured way.
To open in Wireshark, double-click the PCAPNG file. Wireshark automatically detects the format. Other programs like Ngrep also open PCAPNG files.
