# hping

> open-source packet generator and analyzer

**Wikidata**: [Q1050420](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1050420)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hping)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/hping

## Summary
hping is a free, open-source packet generator and analyzer used primarily for computer security purposes. It runs on Unix-like operating systems and is distributed under the GNU General Public License. The tool was authored by Salvatore Sanfilippo.

## Key Facts
- **Author:** Salvatore Sanfilippo
- **License:** GNU General Public License, version 2.0
- **Type:** Free software / Open-source packet generator and analyzer
- **Primary Use:** Computer security (protection of systems and networks)
- **Platform:** Unix-like operating systems
- **Latest Referenced Version:** 3.0.0-alpha-1 (released April 9, 2004)
- **Source Repository:** https://github.com/antirez/hping
- **Official Website:** http://www.hping.org/

## FAQs
### Q: What is hping used for?
A: hping is used for computer security, specifically as a packet generator and analyzer. It helps in the protection of computer systems and networks by allowing users to analyze network behavior.

### Q: Who created hping?
A: hping was created by Salvatore Sanfilippo.

### Q: What operating systems does hping run on?
A: hping runs on Unix-like operating systems. It is available through package managers on Linux distributions (like Arch, Debian, Gentoo) and BSD variants (like FreeBSD, OpenBSD).

### Q: Is hping free to use?
A: Yes, hping is free software distributed under the GNU General Public License, version 2.0, allowing users to freely run, study, change, and distribute it.

## Why It Matters
hping holds significance in the field of computer security as a specialized tool for network analysis and auditing. As a packet generator and analyzer, it provides security professionals and system administrators with the capability to probe networks, essentially functioning as a high-precision tool for dissecting network traffic and testing system responses. This functionality is critical for the "protection of computer systems and networks from theft, damage, misuse or data leak," as noted in its classification.

Its relevance is further underscored by its widespread availability across nearly all major Unix-like ecosystems, including Debian, Arch Linux, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, and macOS via MacPorts. This broad inclusion in official repositories demonstrates its utility and trusted status within the open-source and security communities. Furthermore, its status as free software under the GPL-2.0 license ensures that it remains accessible for study and modification, aligning with the ethos of transparent security research. Authored by Salvatore Sanfilippo, it represents a foundational utility in the network security toolkit.

## Notable For
- **Broad Distribution:** Available natively in the repositories of major operating systems, including Debian (stable), Arch Linux, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD, and Gentoo.
- **Security Classification:** Explicitly classified for use in "computer security" and the "protection of computer systems."
- **Authorship:** Created by Salvatore Sanfilippo, a recognized figure in software development.
- **Open Source:** Distributed under the GNU General Public License (GPL) version 2.0, guaranteeing user freedoms to modify and distribute the code.
- **Unix Integration:** Designed specifically for Unix-like operating systems, with specific ports available for SlackBuilds and Homebrew.

## Body
### Core Identity and Function
hping is an open-source software tool classified under the category of free software. Its primary function is defined as a packet generator and analyzer. The tool is utilized within the domain of computer security to assist in the protection of computer systems and networks.

### Technical Specifications
The software is written in a programming language identified by the ID Q15777. It operates exclusively on Unix-like operating systems.
- **License:** The tool is licensed under the **GNU General Public License, version 2.0**.
- **Source Code:** The code is maintained in a repository located at `https://github.com/antirez/hping`.

### Version History
According to structured data references, a notable version of the software is **3.0.0-alpha-1**. This specific alpha version was released on **April 9, 2004**.

### Availability and Ports
hping is widely available across various Unix-like platforms through native package management systems:
- **Debian:** `hping3` (stable package)
- **Arch Linux:** `hping`
- **FreeBSD:** `net/hping3`, `net/hping`
- **OpenBSD:** `net/hping`
- **NetBSD:** `net/hping`, `net/hping3`
- **Gentoo:** `net-analyzer/hping`
- **macOS (MacPorts):** `hping2`, `hping3`
- **Homebrew:** `hping`
- **openSUSE:** `hping`
- **SlackBuilds:** `network/hping3`

### Metadata
- **Freebase ID:** `/m/04hptp`
- **Quora Topic:** Hping
- **Wikipedia Title:** Hping
- **Wikidata Description:** open-source packet generator and analyzer

## References

1. [License](http://www.hping.org/license.php)
2. [Source](https://github.com/antirez/hping)
3. [The hping Open Source Project on Open Hub: Languages Page. Open Hub](https://www.openhub.net/p/hping/analyses/latest/languages_summary)
4. [hping network tool](https://github.com/antirez/hping/blob/3547c7691742c6eaa31f8402e0ccbb81387c1b99/release.h)
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. Quora