Q. What can program do?

A. Smart Sniffer is placed between any YOUR soft and hardware. So it can do record of conversation between any other program and hardware. It can’t “talk” directly to hardware or “listen” it. However, for COM ports you can use MPSLViewer’s replayer.

Q.What for this program can be used?

A.This program can be used for:

• Developing or implementing Serial (COM, USB) & Parallel Protocols
• Reverse-engineering the Serial & Parallel Protocols
• Developing Serial and Parallel Device Drivers
• Developing Hardware with RS232 interfaces
• Testing Software
• Testing Hardware
• “Black-box” researching.

Q. There is a lot of such programs on market, why to use Smart Sniffer?

• Sniffer will skip any silly details, like which packet for driver XXX was received from driver YYY – you will see only plain real data which are flowing in/out connected hardware. Of course configuration queries are recorded also .
• You are able to produce separated streams of in/out requests. All requests are numbered and have sizes. You can make source code and binary resource in 1 click to integrate into own program.
• All timings are recorded and continuous packets of same direction are grouped – you will see most clear picture of what is going on. SmartSniffer has never seen before ability – it can insert bookmarks between packets without stopping recording in 1 click or even automatically!
• When you need help of your friend from opposite side of the Earth fill free to use email – separated and freely redistributed MPSL Viewer is included, send your log to friend! – He(she) can use free addition VPMachine to emulate your hardware!
• You can always test your suppositions without programming at all – MSPLViewer can replay data recorded or manually entered !
• It has Stealth Mode.

Q. Is it free?

A. It is “subscriptionware”. You may use it into “limited” mode or connect to internet and login by your account to enable “unlimited” mode. Each run you will need to repeat login process. Details about subscriptions are here.

Q. What are limits?

A. Program will record only 2000 bytes for COM and LPT or 20000 bytes for USB. Also it will work no longer than 1 minute. So recording will be stopped by time or size limit. Also you can insert only 2 marks into each record session. Stealth Mode cannot be activated.

Q. What is “Stealth Mode”?

A. In this mode program will change randomly all internal specific values. So Sniffer cannot be detected by other software. The intensity of Stealth is picked up automatically by Sniffer depending on limitations of your current system.

However, some programs may check memory for the file names, we suggest you will rename SmartSniffer.exe manually to complete Stealth. Also close help file(s) and MPSLViewer(s) because it has references to Smart Sniffer and can be detected.

Q. Have I to have Internet connection?

A. Yes, to allow “unlimited” mode you will have to connect to Internet shortly while starting Smart Sniffer. One session takes 2-3kb of traffic.

Q. I got log and i want to send part of it into device.

A. Use MPSLViewer to send/read data to/from COM, it can be part of the log too. Or you can to use free addition VPMachine.  Also MPSLViewer supports couple terminal modes – HEX/ASCII/QUALCOMM (read included help for more information).

Q. I’m not sure how to use Smart Sniffer…

A. Just remember to press F1 on keyboard when you don’t know what to do

Q. What for “Insert bookmark” link?

A. While record is going you can click it and sequentially numbered mark will be inserted into log immediately. Later you will see all marks in log watching it by MPSLViewer, so it is convenient way to mark-up what was done between recorded packets. Also you will be able to give some readable names to each of marks.

Marks are available starting from v 3.2.1 of SmartSniffer. Minimal MPSLViewer’s version which supports it is 2.5.1.

Q. Sniffer hungs trying to log COM-mapped IR port. How to do?

A. IR-drivers are modern WDM and cannot properly restart in request of sniffer sometimes because sniffer uses NT4-compatible driver. Try next: put IR device in “visible” zone, when icon will appear in system-tray immediately press “Start” in sniffer.

Q. You didn’t answer to my email, why?

A. We answer emails during 48 hours usually. If you didn’t get response from us then check your spam-filters please. Most likely email was trashed. That is common problem nowadays. Resend your query and give us additional contact info like ICQ or other email address.

Q. Where can I get more info?

A. You can left your question/comment right here or visit our forum: