An ESP32-based WiFi packet monitor that captures and displays nearby network traffic on an OLED screen with SD card logging.
PacketMonitor32 is an open-source WiFi packet monitoring device built around the ESP32 microcontroller. It captures and displays nearby WiFi network traffic in real-time on an OLED screen and can log packets to an SD card for professional analysis. The project solves the need for affordable, portable network diagnostics tools for developers and network enthusiasts.
Network administrators, embedded systems developers, security researchers, and electronics hobbyists who need to analyze WiFi traffic in field environments or educational settings.
Developers choose PacketMonitor32 because it provides a complete, open-source alternative to expensive commercial WiFi analyzers, with full hardware and software control, SD card capture capabilities, and simple Arduino-based programming.
ESP32 Packet Monitor + SD card!
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Shows nearby WiFi devices, packet counts, and average RSSI on an OLED screen, providing immediate network diagnostics without external tools.
Saves captured packets as .pcap files on a microSD card, enabling offline analysis in professional tools like Wireshark for detailed inspection.
Full schematics and code are available, allowing for customization, modifications, and community-driven improvements to the device.
Uses a single button to cycle through WiFi channels 1-14, making it easy to scan different frequencies for network assessment.
The README admits the device can enter restart loops due to SD card write failures, requiring careful formatting and troubleshooting, which risks data loss.
Packets may be dropped if incoming traffic exceeds the SD card's write speed, limiting its effectiveness for comprehensive captures in busy networks.
Compiling the source requires installing Arduino, ESP32 core, and specific libraries, which can be a barrier for users unfamiliar with embedded development.