Agenda: dns-tcpdump-wireshark.txt

Use tcpdump & wireshark to show DNS traffic

1. Tcpdump

    Open a NEW connection to your auth1.grpX machine (log in a second
    time), so that you can have both windows side-by-side.

    In the new window, run the following command (you must be 'root', that's
    why we use sudo):

$ sudo tcpdump -n -s 1500 udp and port 53

    This shows all packets going in and out of your machine for UDP port 53
    (DNS).
    
    Now go to another window and repeat some of the 'dig' queries from earlier.

    Look at the output of tcpdump, check the source and destination IP address
    of each packet:

Explanation:

    -n  Prevents tcpdump doing reverse DNS lookups on the packets it receives,
        which would generate additional (confusing) DNS traffic

    -s 1500 Read the entire packet (otherwise tcpdump only reads 96 bytes)

    udp and port 53
        A filter which matches only packets to/from UDP port 53

2. Tshark

    Let's try the same thing, but using tshark

    If required, stop the above tcpdump (CTRL+C), then run:

$ sudo tshark -n -s 1500 udp and port 53

    Try to run a few queries using dig from another window, then
    stop tshark (CTRL+C), and run it with different options:

$ sudo tshark -V -n -s 1500 udp and port 53

    Run a few queries - do you see how much data is now being printed ?


3. Wireshark

    Let's try this with the graphical interface, wireshark.

    First, let's create a remote desktop instance:

$ vncserver

    You will be asked to create a password - use the same as in class!

    At this point, you will need to get a VNC client to connect
    to your remote desktop. For example:

    Windows: http://www.realvnc.com/cgi-bin/download.cgi
        (Choose Installer or ZIP for the Standalone viewer)

    Linux: Ubuntu / Debian: apt-get install xvnc4viewer

    MacOS X: http://sourceforge.net/projects/cotvnc/files/latest/download

    Follow the instructions to install your client, then connect to:

    auth1.grpX.dns.nsrc.org:1

    ... where X is the number of your group.

    When asked for a password, type in the password you provided earlier

    Normally, a desktop with a terminal (xterm) window should appear.

    If not, ask the instructor for assistance

    Now, run wireshark:

$ sudo wireshark

    A warning will pop up about running as root - just click ok!

    Now, start a capture - press CTRL+K

    In the Capture Filter field, type:

not port 5901

    (we'll explain later)

    Start the capture by pressing OK

    Try and run some dig commands from a terminal window.

    You should start to see packets appear in the wireshark window.

    To stop the capture, press the red "Stop" button (4th from the
    left on the list of buttons at the top).

    Now, you can explore the packet capture, save it, decode it, etc...