Final answer:
To capture all wireless traffic headers, the network interface must be set to monitor mode. In this mode, all packets within the wireless medium are captured, allowing for detailed traffic analysis. This is crucial for network diagnostics and security assessments.
Step-by-step explanation:
To capture all headers in wireless traffic on a network interface, the mode that must be enabled is commonly referred to as monitor mode. This is a specific mode that wireless network cards can operate in, which allows them to capture all packets that they have the capability to receive, disregarding whether or not the packets are addressed to them. This mode is distinct from the normal operation mode, often called managed mode, where the device only processes packets addressed to it. Switching to monitor mode is essential for tasks like network diagnostics and traffic analysis.
With monitor mode enabled, the wireless network interface is put into a state where it can observe all the traffic in the wireless medium, including unicast, multicast, and broadcast packets. This is instrumental for network administrators and security professionals who need to analyze network performance or identify potential security threats. Additionally, packet sniffing software such as Wireshark can be used in conjunction with a network interface in monitor mode to visualize and analyze the traffic for further diagnosis.
Upon enabling monitor mode, you will be able to see the header information provided by layers of the OSI model, which includes MAC addresses, frame check sequences, frame types and subtypes, and more. This raw view into the wireless traffic is invaluable when you are attempting to understand the behavior of the network at a granular level. Some wireless adapters may require specific drivers or tools to enable monitor mode, and the method of enabling it can vary from one operating system to another.