How is "packet sniffing" used in network management?

Packet sniffing is a technique used in network management that involves intercepting and logging network traffic. By capturing packets as they travel across the network, administrators can analyze the data contained within these packets to diagnose issues, monitor performance, ensure security, or simply gather statistics about the network usage.

This process helps in troubleshooting by providing insights into network traffic patterns, identifying bottlenecks, or detecting unusual activity that may indicate issues such as misconfigurations or security threats. Packet sniffing tools allow network managers to see the data in real-time, enabling them to make informed decisions based on accurate information about the state of the network.

In contrast, boosting signal strength relates to physical transmission characteristics, preventing unauthorized access involves security measures such as firewalls and authentication protocols, and managing traffic distribution pertains to network optimization techniques like load balancing. These approaches do not include the analysis of packet data, which is the core function of packet sniffing.