The short answer is that a network card normally only accept and process unicast packets whose source or destination MAC address matches its own.  A NIC in promiscuous mode will accept and process all packets regardless of intended destination.
 
So, for example, it is critical that the NIC in a packet analyzer be put into promiscuous mode, otherwise the only packets it will be able to analyze will be broadcast packets, and unicast packets directed at the analyzer itself.
 
I hope that helps.
 
SLH.
 

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Steighton Haley                          [EMAIL PROTECTED]

"There are 10 types of people in this world,
those who understand binary, and those who don't."

-----Original Message-----
From: Daniel Frimerman [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Monday, June 30, 2003 8:57 AM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: [WinPcap-users] What is PROMISCOUS mode?

Can anyone please explain to me what does promiscous mode mean?
 
Daniel

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