Packet Analyzer

A network Analyzer is an analog computer (sometimes a program or a device) in which networks are used to stimulate power line systerms or physical systems and obtain solutions to various problems before the systems are actually built. It monitors the data traveling between computers on a network and is also known as a network analyzer, protocol analyzer, or a packet sniffer. It also allows the user to eavesdrop traffic traveling between network computers. It can inspect a packet to gather data such as the packet's point of origin and destination and can examine the data contained within the packet and may be used for security purposes.

Many employers use a packet sniffer to determine how much time their workers are spending online, if they are using that time to do their job, and if they are viewing innapriate material. They can do this because the packet analyzer can see all of the info passing over the network it is connected to. As the data streams back and forth on the network, the program looks at, or "sniffs" each packet. Some other examples of what a packet sniffer would be able to monitor are which websites you visit, what you look at on the site, whom you send e-mail to, what's in the email you send, what you download from a site and what streaming events you use (for audio, or video). http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-a-packet-sniffer.htm / http://www.solarwinds.com/it-management-glossary/what-is-network-packet-analyzer.aspx