promiscuous mode
Home > Security Definitions - Promiscuous mode
SearchSecurity.com Definitions (Powered by WhatIs.com)
EMAIL THIS
LOOK UP TECH TERMS Powered by: WhatIs.com
Search listings for thousands of IT terms:
Browse tech terms alphabetically:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #

promiscuous mode



Word of the Day
Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us    Add to Google


DEFINITION - 1) In a network, promiscuous mode allows a network device to intercept and read each network packet that arrives in its entirety. This mode of operation is sometimes given to a network snoop server that captures and saves all packets for analysis (for example, for monitoring network usage).

2) In an Ethernet local area network (LAN), promiscuous mode is a mode of operation in which every data packet transmitted can be received and read by a network adapter. Promiscuous mode must be supported by each network adapter as well as by the input/output driver in the host operating system. Promiscuous mode is often used to monitor network activity.

Promiscuous mode is the opposite of non-promiscuous mode. When a data packet is transmitted in non-promiscuous mode, all the LAN devices "listen to" the data to determine if the network address included in the data packet is theirs. If it isn't, the data packet is passed onto the next LAN device until the device with the correct network address is reached. That device then receives and reads the data.

LAST UPDATED: 04 Jun 2007


Do you have something to add to this definition? Let us know.
Send your comments to techterms@whatis.com


Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us    Add to Google


RELATED CONTENT
Windows registry forensics guide: Investigating hacker activities
Ed Skoudis explains how investigators can interact with the registry to analyze a compromised system and unveils several reg commands that can be used...
More built-in Windows commands for system analysis
Ed Skoudis defines five more useful Windows commands that can provide new insight into the realm of Windows analysis.
Is security improved when the number of Internet gateways is reduced?
A single entry point has often been thought easier to defend than multiple entry points. There are some caveats to reducing the number of Internet...

RELATED GLOSSARY TERMS
Terms from Whatis.com − the technology online dictionary
computer forensics  (SearchSecurity.com)
Einstein  (SearchSecurity.com)
Einstein is the network monitoring tool used by the United States federal government's Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Einstein is used to...


TechTarget Security Media
Information Security View this month\\'s issue and subscribe today.
Information Security Decisions Apply online for free conference admission.
SearchSecurity.com
HomeNewsMagazineWebcastsWhite PapersLearningAdviceTopicsEventsAbout Us

About Us  |  Contact Us  |  For Advertisers  |  For Business Partners  |  Site Index  |  RSS
TechTarget provides enterprise IT professionals with the information they need to perform their jobs - from developing strategy, to making cost-effective IT purchase decisions and managing their organizations' IT projects - with its network of technology-specific Web sites, events and magazines.

TechTarget Corporate Web Site  |  Media Kits  |  Reprints  |  Site Map




All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2003 - 2008, TechTarget | Read our Privacy Policy
  TechTarget - The IT Media ROI Experts