Software Installation

The following software packages are required to run the sniffer:

• µracoli Sniffer Package
• AVR Programming Software
• Python / pyserial
• Wireshark

µracoli Sniffer Package

Download the package uracoli-sniffer-<version>.zip from http://uracoli.nongnu.org/download.html and unzip it into a local directory. In the package the following files and folders are contained:

    uracoli-sniffer-<version>/
    |-- LICENSE
    |-- README.html
    |-- doc ....................... doxygen html documentation
    |   |-- index.html
    |   `-- ...
    |-- firmware .................. sniffer firmware binaries
    |   |-- sniffer_any2400st.hex
    |   |-- sniffer_psk212.hex
    |   `-- ...
    `-- script
        |-- sniffer.py ............ Python interface script
        |-- p2p.lua ............... example LUA dissector for Wireshark
        `-- ...
 

AVR Programming Software

In order to flash the sniffer firmware in the transceiver board, you need either a preinstalled bootloader in the MCU or a hardware programmer, e.g. like AVR-Dragon, JTAG-ICE, AVR ISP, USB-ASP, .... The preferred programming tool under Linux is avrdude. On Windows mostly Atmel AVR Studio is used.

Linux:

Install the package avrdude with the package manager of your distribution.

• Debian: dpkg -i avrdude
• Ubuntu: sudo apt-get install avrdude
• Suse and Centos/Redhat: install the RPMs.

Windows:

On Windows very often Atmel AVR Studio is used for flashing AVR controllers. Alternatively you can also use avrdude on Windows, it comes either with WinAVR or it can be downloaded also as a seperate package.

• Atmel AVR Studio http://www.atmel.com/microsite/avr_studio_5/
• WinAVR http://winavr.sourceforge.net/download.html
• avrdude for Windows: http://tomeko.net/other/avrdude/building_avrdude.php
  Below the compile description, there is a link to the file avrdude.zip.

Python / pyserial

The Python interpreter with version 2.6. or 2.7 (but version must be below 3.0) is required to execute the script sniffer.py. Additionaly the module pyserial is required for access to the serial port.

Linux:

Install the Python packages with the preferred package manager of your distribution, e.g.

• Debian: dpkg -i python python-serial
• Ubuntu: sudo apt-get install python python-serial
• Suse and Centos/Redhat: install the RPMs python and python-serial.

Windows:

Download and install the following packages:

• Python: http://www.python.org/download/
• The easiest way to install +pyserial+ on Windows is using the tool +pip+ as described here: Installing and Upgrading Python

Wireshark

Wireshark is powerful tool for network traffic monitoring. It is used to display, inspect and analyze the IEEE-802.15.4 frames captured from the transceiver board. Beside the main application wireshark, the package comes with some other handy command line tools like tshark or dumpcap. If you are a new wireshark user, you should not miss a look into the Wireshark User Manual.

Note:

Since the script sniffer.py saves the monitored data in PCAP format (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pcap), wireshark needs not mandatory to be installed on the PC running the sniffer application. The captured PCAP files can be analyzed also offline on a seperate PC. However for a data life display, a wireshark installation is required.

Linux:

Install the wireshark package with the preferred package manager of your distribution.

• Debian: dpkg -i wireshark
• Ubuntu: sudo apt-get install wireshark
• Suse and Centos/Redhat: install the RPMs.

Windows:

Download the Windows Installer from http://www.wireshark.org/download.html