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Laptop Hardware Recommendations for running Wireshark

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About a year ago, I purchased an HP gaming laptop based on its specs.. see below: Processor (Intel Core i7 - Q720 @ 1.6GHZ, 1600Mhz, 4 Core(s), 8 Logical Processors) Memory - 6 G with lots of HDD space.

I am not sure why, but I have been unsuccessful using WS for more than 10 minutes at a time before it shuts down/ locks up.

I need a reliable Laptop that I dont have to worry about WS crashing. Can anyone out there recommend good hardware for a laptop? Thanks in advance! KMNRuser

asked 14 Oct '11, 10:44

kmnruser's gravatar image

kmnruser
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accept rate: 0%


One Answer:

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I'm guessing that by "shuts down/locks up" you mean crashes/exits. Is this correct (or do you mean Wireshark hangs while using CPU) ?

Is there any message following the "shutdown/lockup" ?

Possibilities:

  1. There's a Wireshark bug (especially if Wireshark hangs while using CPU).

  2. There's too much data.

What is the speed of the network interface you are capturing from ?

In general, Wireshark cannot be used to capture an unlimited amount of data. Wireshark accumulates "state" information in memory as a capture proceeds and thus memory will at some point be exhausted as the capture proceeds. (If you use the "ring buffer" option with multiple files of a limited size, then the memory usage will be reset as each new file is opened).

See: Out of Memory

Dumpcap (a program in the Wireshark suite) can be used to capture directly to a file (or set of files). Try using dumpcap and see what happens.

 3. ??

answered 17 Oct '11, 07:12

Bill%20Meier's gravatar image

Bill Meier ♦♦
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accept rate: 17%

Sorry i did not get back out here to thank you for the post.

The interface is a Gig interface. the LT is pretty beefy, but sometimes other apps crash on it as well.

I am going to get rid of it and get another one.

Take Care

(02 Nov '12, 12:52) kmnruser

I converted your "answer" to a comment as that's how this site works, please see the FAQ for more info.

If other apps are crashing it may mean a hardware issue. Have you run a memory test as that's easiest to swap out if it is faulty?

(02 Nov '12, 13:06) grahamb ♦