Network Homework 1 - Protocol Analysis - Individual Homework

This homework is a practical homework on protocol analysis. We will use different tools for different homeworks through out the semester. It is essential that you gain the skills of using protocol analyzers. Perform the following tasks to complete the homework:

1.0 General Setup

1. Install a network protocol analyzer called Wireshark (http://www.wireshark.org/download.html)
2. Go to www.yahoo.com to get a new yahoo id for email. We will use this email id throughout the semester. Alternatively, you can use an existing id. It will work as long as it is a web based email.

2.0 Trace Capture

1	Start the network protocol analyzer	Make sure everything works and you can capture HTTP traffic.
2	Click this link	Only use this link
3	Click on "Join for Free". Click Mingles. Fill in the form. (Pay attention to the password field) Click the join for free button.	Capture the network trace.
4	Sign on to the web email account and look for the email with subject "Instruction for Completing Your Mingles.com registration" and click on the link to complete your registration	Make sure the network protocol analyzer is working and pay attention to what happened when the link is clicked.
5	Click the Member Login link on the top of the page to login	Make sure the network protocol analyzer is working
6	Complete the profile (hit update profile at some point)	Make sure you have the trace. Stop the analyzer and perform analysis

3.0 Analysis

Investigate the network protocol traces and document at least five protocol observations (5 things you see). Observations are things you observed in the trace.

Discuss the following items:

• All questions must be answered with reference to actual network trace from protocol analysis. Otherwise, no credit.
• There are few places (signup form, email, etc.) where passwords are handled. Discuss how passwords are being handled and how secure the methods are.
• Can you tell the server that you are using a specific browser (e.g. IE, firefox) but actually you are using another?
• What improvements can be made?

Notes: Answers has to be in MS-word format with necessary screen shot, etc. Please handin with CD (if necessary) and hard copy in its own envelope.