The Sniffer10G software contains a generic ethernet driver for "Ethernet mode" and a packet capture driver for "Sniffer mode" -- the network adapter can be placed in either mode. Until a user requests that the adapter be placed in Sniffer mode, it can be used in Ethernet mode and can be manipulated like a regular 10G adapter does. The Ethernet mode is provided only for convenience and familiarity with existing OS tools and interfaces, and does provide the level of performance that can be achieved when using our standard 10GbE driver, Myri10GE. Some users choose to never bring up the interface.
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Once in Sniffer mode, all packets that are received are directed to one (or many) Sniffer users instead of the Ethernet driver. All performance claims and usage expectations for Sniffer10G assume that the network adapter operates in Sniffer mode.
