David Bombal is joined by Gerald Combs, the creator of Wireshark, and Chris Greer, a well-known Wireshark trainer, for a comprehensive discussion about the past, present, and future of the world’s most popular network protocol analyzer.

They explore how Wireshark was originally created as an open-source alternative to expensive packet sniffers, the evolution from its first release in 1998 (as Ethereal), and the community-driven development that led to over 2,300 contributors worldwide. The video also dives into the transition to the Wireshark Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the tool and educating users globally.

Topics covered include:

The early days of Wireshark and why it was built

The story behind the name change from Ethereal to Wireshark

How Windows compatibility helped Wireshark go mainstream

The launch of SharkFest and what makes it unique as a community-driven conference

What attendees can expect from SharkFest in the US and Europe, including beginner-friendly tracks, expert sessions, and interactive challenges like

Packet Doctors

How the Wireshark Foundation supports the community and ensures long-term sustainability

The introduction of the Wireshark Certified Analyst (WCA) certification and what it means for networking and cybersecurity professionals

Real-world use cases for Wireshark in ethical hacking, packet forensics, and cybersecurity training

The announcement of StratoShark, a new open-source companion tool for analyzing system call data and cloud logs with a familiar Wireshark-like interface

Whether you're a network engineer, a cybersecurity professional, a developer, or just curious about how network analysis tools are built and used, this video provides deep technical insights, inspiring backstory, and practical guidance on how to level up your skills.

// Website links REFERENCE //

https://wireshark.org/certifications

https://packetschool.teachable.com/?a...

http://packetpioneer.com/courses

https://stratoshark.org/

https://sharkfest.wireshark.org/

// Chris’ SOCIAL //

X: https://x.com/packetpioneer

YouTube: / @chrisgreer

LinkedIn: / cgreer

// Gerald Combs SOCIAL //

LinkedIn: / geraldcombs

// David's SOCIAL //

Discord: discord.com/invite/usKSyzb

Twitter: www.twitter.com/davidbombal

Instagram: www.instagram.com/davidbombal

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/davidbombal

Facebook: www.facebook.com/davidbombal.co

TikTok: tiktok.com/@davidbombal

YouTube: / @davidbombal

Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/3f6k6gE...

SoundCloud: / davidbombal

Apple Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

// MY STUFF //

https://www.amazon.com/shop/davidbombal

// SPONSORS //

Interested in sponsoring my videos? Reach out to my team here: [email protected]

Please note that links listed may be affiliate links and provide me with a small percentage/kickback should you use them to purchase any of the items listed or recommended. Thank you for supporting me and this channel!

Disclaimer: This video is for educational purposes only.