---
name: "randpktdump"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "wireshark-cli"
version: "4.7.4-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/randpktdump"
---

# randpktdump(1)

Provide an interface to generate random captures using randpkt

## NAME

randpktdump - Provide an interface to generate random captures using randpkt

## SYNOPSIS

**randpktdump** \[ **--help** \] \[ **--version** \] \[ **--extcap-interfaces** \] \[ **--extcap-dlts** \] \[ **--extcap-interface**=\<interface\> \] \[ **--extcap-config** \] \[ **--capture** \] \[ **--fifo**=\<path to file or pipe\> \] \[ **--maxbytes**=\<bytes\> \] \[ **--count**=\<num\> \] \[ **--delay**=\<ms\> \] \[ **--random-type**=\<true\|false\> \] \[ **--all-random**=\<true\|false\> \] \[ **--type**=\<packet type\> \]

## DESCRIPTION

**randpktdump** is a extcap tool that provides access to the random packet generator (randpkt). It is mainly used for testing and educational purposes.

## OPTIONS

- \--help

  Print program arguments.

- \--version

  Print program version.

- \--extcap-interfaces

  List available interfaces.

- \--extcap-interface=\<interface\>

  Use specified interfaces.

- \--extcap-dlts

  List DLTs of specified interface.

- \--extcap-config

  List configuration options of specified interface.

- \--capture

  Start capturing from the specified interface and save it in the location specified by --fifo.

\--fifo=\<path to file or pipe\>

Save captured packet to file or send it through pipe.

- \--maxbytes=\<bytes\>

  Set the max number of bytes per packet.

- \--count=\<num\>

  Number of packets to generate (-1 for infinite).

- \--delay=\<ms\>

  Wait a number of milliseconds after writing each packet.

- \--random-type

  Choose a random packet type for all packets if set to true.

- \--all-random

  Choose a different random packet type for each packet if set to true.

\--type=\<packet type\>

Use the selected packet type. To list all the available packet type, run randpktdump --help.

## EXAMPLES

To see program arguments:

```
randpktdump --help
```

To see program version:

```
randpktdump --version
```

To see interfaces:

```
randpktdump --extcap-interfaces
```

**Example output**\

```
interface {value=randpkt}{display=Random packet generator}
```

To see interface DLTs:

```
randpktdump --extcap-interface=randpkt --extcap-dlts
```

**Example output**\

```
dlt {number=1}{name=randpkt}{display=Ethernet}
```

To see interface configuration options:

```
randpktdump --extcap-interface=randpkt --extcap-config
```

**Example output**\

```
arg {number=0}{call=--maxbytes}{display=Max bytes in a packet}{type=unsigned}{range=1,5000}{default=5000}{tooltip=The max number of bytes in a packet}
arg {number=1}{call=--count}{display=Number of packets}{type=long}{default=1000}{tooltip=Number of packets to generate (-1 for infinite)}
arg {number=2}{call=--delay}{display=Packet delay (ms)}{type=long}{default=0}{tooltip=Milliseconds to wait after writing each packet}
arg {number=3}{call=--random-type}{display=Random type}{type=boolflag}{default=false}{tooltip=The packets type is randomly chosen}
arg {number=4}{call=--all-random}{display=All random packets}{type=boolflag}{default=false}{tooltip=Packet type for each packet is randomly chosen}
arg {number=5}{call=--type}{display=Type of packet}{type=selector}{tooltip=Type of packet to generate}
value {arg=5}{value=arp}{display=Address Resolution Protocol}
[...]
value {arg=5}{value=usb-linux}{display=Universal Serial Bus with Linux specific header}
```

To capture:

```
randpktdump --extcap-interface=randpkt --fifo=/tmp/randpkt.pcapng --capture
```

**Note**\

To stop capturing CTRL+C/kill/terminate the application.

## SEE ALSO

[wireshark(1)](/wireshark/1.md), [tshark(1)](/tshark/1.md), [dumpcap(1)](/dumpcap/1.md), [extcap(4)](/extcap/4.md), [randpkt(1)](/randpkt/1.md)

## NOTES

**randpktdump** is part of the **Wireshark** distribution.  The latest version of **Wireshark** can be found at  \<https://www.wireshark.org\>.

HTML versions of the Wireshark project man pages are available at  \<https://www.wireshark.org/docs/man-pages\>.

## AUTHORS

**Original Author**\
 Dario Lombardo \<lomato\[AT\]gmail.com\>