Dropping packets

[Rodrigo Ramos <rodrigo.ramos () triforsec com br>]

Hi,

I know it may not have a simple answer but lets go.
I am running a Linux version 2.4.20-31_38.rh9 with tcpdump-3.7.2-7.9.1
and snort-2.2.0-1.0.


I did run both as sniffers one at a time and sow that both dropped
packets. 

2233 packets received by filter
18 packets dropped by kernel

Snort received 455 packets
    Analyzed: 179(39.341%)
    Dropped: 276(60.659%)

My question is "What can make the kernel drop packets?" My link is 512k
and my machine is:
 
model name      : AMD Athlon(TM) XP 1800+
stepping        : 1
cpu MHz         : 1533.426
cache size      : 256 KB

Mem             : 512 MB

Ethernet controller: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
RTL-8139/8139C/8139C+ (rev 16).

libpcap-0.7.2-7.9.1



Best regards,
-- 
Rodrigo Ramos

55 81 3463.1593
55 81 8851.3524
http://www.triforsec.com.br
http://www.defenselayer.com
Key fingerprint = F381 366D D233 22B4 7E72  A21D DE9B 2FF3 71CF E098

Attachment: signature.asc
Description: This is a digitally signed message part