This is a simple Wireshark protocol dissector for the equally-simple protocol used by the old BSD UNIX talk(1) program and its counterpart, the talkd(8) server. This same protocol is used by the ntalk(1) and ytalk(1) programs, as well, since they both rely on the same talkd server.
First, check your version of Wireshark for Lua support. Without this, you won't be able to run this code. Otherwise, the installation procedure is as simple as:
- Copy (or symlink) the
talk.luascript into your personal or global Wireshark plugins folder. - Restart Wireshark, or reload your Lua plugins (available from the Wireshark menu as
Analyze → Reload Lua Plugins). - Open any of the provided sample packet capture files in Wireshark.
Exactly. As far as I can tell, that means no one has written a Wireshark dissector for it. That fact, coupled with the simplicity of the protocol, make writing one a great little project for me. :)