Berkeley Packet Filter

The Berkeley Packet Filter (BPF) is a technology used in computer networking that allows efficient and flexible monitoring and capturing of network data. Think of it as a very selective filter that inspects data packets traveling over a network, enabling tools like network analyzers to capture only the information they’re interested in. BPF improves performance by filtering data at a low level in the operating system, reducing unnecessary processing. It’s widely used for troubleshooting, security, and performance analysis by providing a fast and customizable way to select relevant network traffic.