filtering tcp/udp packets from an with linux & php?

[acidbox]

I would like to write a script that connects to an IP, and filters the packets that are received from it (TCP or UPD). I'd then like to search the filter for specfic character combinations and return the results as a variable. Does anyone know if this is possible via a php/liunux apache combination? If so, I'd love some help.

thanks.

[killerbishop]

Why don't you use IP chains? You can use the socket functions of PHP to do this, but I can't really see any reason anyone would ever do this other than to deny/allow packets. Of course, look I said before, use IP chains for that. The socket functions reference is:

http://www.php.net/manual/en/ref.sockets.php

[acidbox]

I am not trying to allow/deny ip addresses, but simply view the information that is coming accross. Similar to a Packet Monitor/Viewer you might find on a windows computer. I intend to display the contents that I find on a webpage. Understand what I mean? Any help is appreciated.

[killerbishop]

Well, write a client using the socket functions (per the URL above) and just read the buffer. Then apply your filter using preg_match() or whatever and log the data.

Note that you must do this a command-line script (the PHP CLI), if you plan to be running the process for a long period of time. If not, and you want to output something from the remote host to a browser - this should be fine as long as the connection timeout is short.