Python 3
If Python 3 is not already installed on your system, go to the Python main page to learn how to download and install it for your specific system:
It should now be possible to launch Python and run some simple commands:
On Windows, try using py
to launch Python.
It should now be possible to launch Python and import the pyserial package:
NOTE: the import is actually serial
, not pyserial.
Install Wireshark
Go to the Wireshark main page to learn how to download and install Wireshark for your specific system.
Once complete, it should be possible to run Wireshark and at least get the start screen.
Note: For Linux, you may need to add yourself to wireshark group to run it without sudo with following command: sudo usermod -aG wireshark $(whoami)
Install BLE Sniffer Plugin
OK, finally, the thing we actually care about. The thing that will let us talk to the Adafruit BLE Sniffer and do some actual BLE sniffing. Let's download and install that BLE sniffing plugin!
Download Plugin from Nordic
Start by downloading the nRF Sniffer for BLE package from Nordic Semiconductor:
This will be a ZIP file. At the time of this guide, the version is 4.1.0.
Determine Wireshark Plugin Folder Location (extcap)
We need to install items from the ZIP file downloaded from Nordic into a specific Wireshark folder location. This location is different on different systems. To determine it for your system, do this:
We'll refer to this folder location as the Wireshark extcap folder.
Install BLE Sniffer Plugin into Wireshark
To install the plugin, simply copy the files shown below from the ZIP downloaded from Nordic into the Wireshark extcap folder location determined above.
Open the ZIP file downloaded from Nordic:
- Plug in the Adafruit BLE Sniffer.
- Launch Wireshark.
- The sniffer should show up under the available capture devices.
- Double click on the sniffer capture device.
- This will open the device and start capturing.
- If there is BLE traffic, it will be seen right away.
- If there is no BLE traffic, it will look like this.
- Note the device has opened properly and is sniffing, there's just nothing to be seen.
Page last edited March 08, 2024
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