Host Table
ShowShark automatically discovers and tracks all hosts on the network as packets are captured. The host tables provide a comprehensive view of discovered devices and their characteristics.
Accessing Host Tables
Host tables can be accessed via Tools > ShowShark > Host Table. The tables update automatically as new packets are processed and additional information is discovered.
Table Types
ShowShark provides three different table views:
Host Properties Table
The Host Properties Table displays detailed information about each discovered host:
- ID - Unique identifier for the host
- Hostname - Device hostname (from mDNS or other discovery protocols)
- IP Address - Current IP address
- MAC Address - Hardware address (shown at Advanced level)
- Manufacturer - Device manufacturer (derived from protocols, MAC OUI, or other sources)
- MAC Manufacturer - Manufacturer from MAC OUI lookup (shown at Advanced level)
- Derived Manufacturer - Manufacturer derived from entertainment protocols (shown at Advanced level)
- Assumed Manufacturer - Manufacturer assumed from device characteristics (shown at Advanced level)
- Device Type - Type of device (e.g., lighting console, fixture)
- First Seen - Timestamp when host was first observed (shown at Advanced level)
- Last Seen - Timestamp when host was most recently observed (shown at Advanced level)
Host Protocols Table
The Host Protocols Table shows which protocols each host is using:
- ID - Unique identifier for the host
- Hostname - Device hostname
- IP Address - Current IP address
- Protocols - List of protocols the host has been observed using
This table is useful for quickly identifying which devices are using specific protocols like sACN, Art-Net, RDM, OSC, or other entertainment control protocols.
Mega Table
The Mega Table combines both host properties and protocols into a single comprehensive view, showing all available information about each host in one place.
Display Levels
The columns visible in the host tables depend on your current display level:
- Essential - Shows basic host information (hostname, IP, manufacturer, device type)
- Advanced - Includes additional details (MAC address, manufacturer sources, first/last seen timestamps)
- Debug - Shows all available fields including internal diagnostic information
You can change the display level via Tools > ShowShark > Display Level.
Host Discovery
ShowShark discovers hosts through multiple sources:
- MAC addresses from Ethernet frames
- IP addresses from network packets
- Hostnames from mDNS, DNS, or entertainment protocols
- Manufacturers from MAC OUI lookups, SNMP, entertainment protocol data
- Device types from protocol analysis and manufacturer databases
- Protocol usage by monitoring which protocols each host sends or receives
As packets are captured, ShowShark continuously updates host information, building a comprehensive picture of the network topology and device characteristics.