> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://packetgen.gitbook.io/wiki/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://packetgen.gitbook.io/wiki/master.md).

# Introduction

PacketGen is a pure ruby library to handle network packets.

## Create network packets

PacketGen makes creating network packets in a ruby way easy. Multiple layers may be put together easily, and depending data from one layer to another is automatically updated. You even may create erroneous low-level packets to stress your network devices.

## Send packets on network

Home-made packets may be easily sent over the network. Packets may be sent at levels 2 or 3 from OSI model. Erroneous packets may be sent (by example, a IP packet with bad checksum) to test network devices.

## Capture packets from network

PacketGen provides an easy way to capture network packets, as Wireshark does, but these packets may be processed with ruby code, in a ruby way. Capture is always done on level 2 from OSI model.