20.9. PCAP File Reading

Suricata offers a pcap-file capture method to process PCAP files and directories of PCAP files in an offline or live-feed manner.

20.9.1. Configuration

pcap-file:
  checksum-checks: auto
  # buffer-size: 128 KiB
  # tenant-id: none
  # Applies to file and directory. Options: false (no deletion), true (always delete),
  #   "non-alerts" (delete only files with no alerts)
  # delete-when-done: false
  # recursive: false
  # continuous: false
  # delay: 30
  # poll-interval: 5

20.9.2. Buffer Size

This option specifies the size of the read buffer for the PCAP file. The larger the buffer, the more data Suricata can read at once. This can improve performance, especially for large files. The size can be specified through the command line option, see --pcap-file-buffer-size

20.9.3. Directory-related options

The recursive option enables Suricata to traverse subdirectories within the specified directory, up to a maximum depth of 255. This allows for processing of PCAP files located in nested folders. Note that the recursive option cannot be used together with the continuous option. The command-line option is --pcap-file-recursive.

The continuous option allows Suricata to monitor the specified directory for new files, processing them as they appear. This is useful for live environments where new PCAP files are continuously added. The continuous option cannot be combined with the recursive option. The command-line option is --pcap-file-continuous..

The delay option specifies the amount of time, in seconds, that Suricata waits before processing newly detected files. This helps prevent the processing of incomplete files that are still being written. The delay option is applicable with the continuous mode.

The poll-interval option determines how frequently, in seconds, Suricata checks the directory for new files. Adjusting this interval can help balance responsiveness and resource usage.

Note

continuous and recursive cannot be enabled simultaneously.

Note

Symlinks are ignored during recursive traversal.

20.9.4. Other options

checksum-checks

• auto (default): Suricata detects checksum offloading statistically.

• yes: Forces checksum validation.

• no: Disables checksum validation.

• The command-line option is -k

tenant-id

• Specifies the tenant for multi-tenant setups with direct select.

• The PCAP is processed by the detection engine assigned to the specified tenant.

delete-when-done

Controls when PCAP files are deleted after processing. Three values are supported:

• false (default): Files are never deleted

• true: Files are always deleted after processing

• "non-alerts": Files are deleted only if they didn't generate any alerts

Note

The command-line option --pcap-file-delete overrides this configuration and forces "always delete" mode (true).

Warning

When using "non-alerts" mode, file deletion is deferred until thread cleanup to ensure alert counts are finalized. This may delay deletion compared to other modes.

BPF filter

• Suricata supports BPF filters for packet capture that is also applicable to the pcap-file capture method.

• The BPF filter is specified in the file with the -F command-line option.