> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://huizhou92.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Exploring gRPC Details With WireShark - URL: https://huizhou92.com/exploring-grpc-details-with-wireshark-2/ - Published: 2024-05-30T10:09:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-08T02:32:02.000Z - Description: Exploring gRPC Details With WireShark. In the previous article, we learned how to capture gRPC traffic using Wireshark . In this article, we will delve dee。 - Author: huizhou92 - Tags: #Migrated-1788833207488, #Import 2026-09-08 02:07 In the previous article, we learned how to capture gRPC traffic using [Wireshark](https://www.wireshark.org/?ref=huizhou92.com). In this article, we will delve deeper into some details of gRPC. I am using the official example of gRPC [grpc-go/examples/helloworld](https://github.com/grpc/grpc-go/tree/master/examples/helloworld?ref=huizhou92.com). [How to Capture and Analyze gRPC Packets Using WiresharkStep-by-Step Guide to Capturing gRPC Packets![](https://huizhou92.com/content/images/2026/09/0-2bcvmysq62s6wnpc.png)](https://levelup.gitconnected.com/how-to-capture-and-analyze-grpc-packets-using-wireshark-c88daccf7b36?ref=huizhou92.com) ### Packet Capturing Details gRPC combines [HTTP/2](https://http2.github.io/?ref=huizhou92.com) and Protocol Buffers, making packet capturing more convenient when you understand these aspects. For instance, when capturing packets with Wireshark, manually set unrecognized HTTP/2 protocols as HTTP/2 (otherwise, it will be parsed as binary over TCP). Also, note that when viewing HTTP/2, do not expect JSON data display (protobuf uses its compression algorithm). ### Overview of a gRPC Call ![Image — gRPC Call Overview](https://huizhou92.com/content/images/2026/09/0-fzzrkmuvzijiqh4d.jpg) Author’s screenshot From the above image, you can see that in the helloworld gRPC scenario, multiple HTTP2 requests occur when the client calls the server. This can generally be categorized as: `Magic->Settings->Headers->Data->Settings->Window-update, Ping->Ping->Headers, Data, Headers->Window_update, ping->Ping`. ### Settings From the gRPC call overview image, you can observe two instances of Settings configurations with identical data. The specific data is as follows: ![HTTP2 setting](https://huizhou92.com/content/images/2026/09/0-qz5kdcqv9-9g0kun.jpg) Author’s screenshot The screenshot of the gRPC request Headers reveals some details: 1. The Header data of HTTP/2 is compressed. 2. Headers include method (POST), scheme (http), path (/helloword.Greeter/SayHello), content-type (application/grpc), and more. ![HTTP2 Headers reveals some details](https://huizhou92.com/content/images/2026/09/0-s0qo6xkp5ma9914z.jpg) Author’s screenshot ### Data The Headers section primarily consists of data related to the client’s request to the server, while the Data section involves the server sending data to the client. ![](https://huizhou92.com/content/images/2026/09/0-sc3howmhw699j7q8.jpg) Author’s screenshot ### Another Settings Configuration The second Settings configuration is almost identical to the first, except for the ACK flag being set to *True*. ![](https://huizhou92.com/content/images/2026/09/0-r9npz_wqmcrexorj.jpg) Author’s screenshot ### Window\_update, Ping In an HTTP/2 request, two stream blocks can be included. ![](https://huizhou92.com/content/images/2026/09/0-5nhalhe3_tebmzqn.jpg) Author’s screenshot ### Ping (Pong) When the client sends a ping request to the server, the server responds with a pong. The ping shown above is initiated by the client, while the subsequent ping is initiated by the server. ![http2 response details](https://huizhou92.com/content/images/2026/09/0-jp_g2iivnvtpflp7.jpg) Author’s screenshot The data here represents what the server sends to the client (including header and body), as shown in the following screenshot. ![](https://huizhou92.com/content/images/2026/09/0-d8tc4bcr5u2xfp2h.jpg) Author’s screenshot ### Window\_update, Ping It’s evident that not only can the client initiate a ping to the server, but the server can also ping the client in return. ![](https://huizhou92.com/content/images/2026/09/0-60wzxryyauem0t_m.jpg) Author’s screenshot ### Another Ping (Pong) After the server initiates a ping operation, the client responds with a pong. ![](https://huizhou92.com/content/images/2026/09/0-iressqgdnnpp3rvb.jpg) Author’s screenshot ### Conclusion By capturing a gRPC helloworld scenario, this article traced the potential data flow process of a gRPC call. Combining theoretical knowledge of gRPC with the packet-capturing content in this article should provide a better understanding of gRPC (focusing on HTTP/2 technology). ### References - [grpc / grpc.io](https://grpc.io/?ref=huizhou92.com) - [HTTP/2](https://http2.github.io/?ref=huizhou92.com): Official documentation for HTTP/2 - [Protocol Buffers](https://developers.google.com/protocol-buffers/?ref=huizhou92.com) - [HTTP/2 and How it Works](https://cabulous.medium.com/http-2-and-how-it-works-9f645458e4b2?ref=huizhou92.com) [Carson](https://medium.com/u/1a6967db5ea1?ref=huizhou92.com) [文章索引](/article-index/)