What is ANCP Window in Wireshark?

Wireshark is a packet sniffing and free open-source packet analysis tool. It captures network traffic on the local network and stores this data and displays the captured data for offline analysis.

So, in this article, we will learn about What ANCP Protocol and ANCP Window in Wireshark, and also we will understand what the sub-function is there and also see the overview of Wireshark.

The Main Window of Wireshark

So this is the main window of the Wireshark while the wireless fidelity capturing. As you can see in the below image there is a tool menu function, main toolbar function, packet list pane, and packet details pane. present the captured network interface.

The Statistic in Wireshark

The Wireshark Statistics menu provides a range of fields and options for analyzing and interpreting captured network data. As you can see in the below image all the sub-items of the Statistics menu in Wireshark.

As you can see in the above image the Statistic option is showing and all the sub-functions also exist and we have focused on the ANCP Protocol.

ANCP Protocol

ANCP is Stand for Access Node Control Protocol (ANCP), it is a networking protocol that enables communication between a network access server (NAS) and an access node (AN). It is commonly used in broadband networks to manage and control different aspects of the access network.

Basically, this protocol is used in telecommunications networks, specifically in broadband access networks, to enable communication and management between the central office (or access node) and the customer premises equipment (CPE) or the customer’s network.

ANCP Window

As you can see in the above image this is the ANCP(Access Node Control Protocol) window in that image there some option exists such as item, count, Average, Min val, Max val, Rate, etc.

The Wireshark ANCP dissector supports these key points which are listed below-

• Adjacency Message: The Adjacency Message in ANCP conveys information about network topology. It assists in establishing and maintaining connections between network devices by providing details about neighboring network elements and their relationships. This enables efficient routing and communication within the network.
• Topology Discovery Extensions: ANCP’s Topology Discovery Extensions, such as Port-Up and Port-Down Messages, are utilized to indicate changes in network connectivity. These messages are sent when a network port or link becomes active (Port-Up) or goes offline/disconnected (Port-Down). By dynamically monitoring and managing network connectivity, these extensions facilitate the efficient utilization of network resources.
• Operation and Maintenance (OAM) Extension: ANCP’s Operation and Maintenance (OAM) Extension includes messages like the Port Management Message. These messages serve the purpose of managing and maintaining network operations. For instance, the Port Management Message allows network administrators to control and configure various aspects of network ports, including enabling or disabling specific ports, adjusting port settings, or monitoring port status. OAM extensions provide essential tools for troubleshooting, monitoring, and ensuring the overall health and performance of the network.