---
name: "ovs-tcpundump"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "openvswitch-switch"
version: "3.5.0-1+b1"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/ovs-tcpundump"
---

# ovs-tcpundump(1)

convert "tcpdump -xx" output to hex strings

## NAME

ovs-tcpundump - convert "tcpdump -xx" output to hex strings

## SYNOPSIS

**ovs-tcpundump \< \<file\>**

**ovs-tcpundump -h \| --help**

**ovs-tcpundump -V \| --version**

The **ovs-tcpundump** program reads **tcpdump -xx output** from stdin, looking for hexadecimal packet data, and dumps each Ethernet as a single hexadecimal string on stdout.  This format is suitable for use with the **ofproto/trace** command supported by **[ovs-vswitchd(8)](/ovs-vswitchd/8.md)** via **[ovs-appctl(8)](/ovs-appctl/8.md)**.

At least two **-x** or **-X** options must be given, otherwise the output will omit the Ethernet header, which prevents the output from being used with **ofproto/trace**.

## OPTIONS

- •

  **-h** or **--help**

  Prints a brief help message to the console.

- •

  **-V** or **--version**

  Prints version information to the console.

## SEE ALSO

**[ovs-appctl(8)](/ovs-appctl/8.md)**, **[ovs-vswitchd(8)](/ovs-vswitchd/8.md)**, **[ovs-pcap(1)](/ovs-pcap/1.md)**, **[tcpdump(8)](/tcpdump/8.md)**, **wireshark(8)**.

## AUTHOR

The Open vSwitch Development Community

## COPYRIGHT

2016-2024, The Open vSwitch Development Community